RAWALPINDI: Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi has been ranked first in Pakistan and 201st among 912 participating universities of the world as per the latest UI GreenMetric World Universities ranking 2020.

According to a press release issued by the university, UI GreenMetric University Sustainability Ranking assesses and compares campus sustainability efforts. The criteria for the ranking of universities include campus setting and infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste, water, transportation and education and research.

The arid university has been ranked 201st among 912 universities of the world with a total score of 6,775.

University’s Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Qamaruz Zaman congratulated the faculty members, students and staff for achieving this position and said the university was working hard to provide an atmosphere where quality education and research can prosper.

He said the university has been awarded four research projects that are: National Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Centre for Agriculture Strategy Development, pilot project for data driven smart decision platform for increased agriculture productivity and national centre for livestock breeding, genetics and genomics, which will be established at the campus.These projects have a great potential and will revolutionise the agriculture sector of Pakistan.

The vice chancellor said the improvement in the ranking is also due to the steps taken by the University Green Office like reducing single use plastic bags on the campus, tree plantation and establishment of a plant nursery. He appreciated the efforts and contribution of the director University Green Office, Shahid Ali Khan, and his team for their vigorous role to sensitise the students regarding environment protection.

The director University Green Office said the university improved its ranking compared to the previous year ie 295 position out of 780 world universities to 201 position out of 912 world universities this year.He said the university was also actively participating in the Clean and Green Pakistan Movement.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2020