FAISALABAD, Feb 24: University of Agriculture vice-chancellor Dr Bashir Ahmad has stressed the need to modernize the curriculum, teaching methods and research system according to present day needs.

He told Dawn here on Tuesday that the courses being taught in the university could not strengthen the economy of the country, which was dependent on agriculture sector, to meet the WTO challenges.

He said none of the plants and animal species had been patented. "At present, there is not a single laboratory in the country for analyzing and standardizing the patents."

Dr Ahmad said a number of multinational companies have been exporting a number of plants having medicinal value from Pakistan and developing precious medicines while Pakistani policy-makers were either unaware or deliberately keeping mum over the issue.

He said new courses of agriculture business and marketing were being introduced. A committee has been constituted comprising dean and chairmen of faculties to formulate teaching code to ensure imparting of curriculum according to laid down standards.

He said a five-member committee had been constituted to suggest ways to improve the standard of education in five years. He deplored that the university promoted rot learning while universities all over the world were supposed to do research and teaching simultaneously.

The vice-chancellor claimed that despite repeated demands from experts, the government has not yet allowed the university to start research and extension activities.

Dr Ahmad said wheat crop was in danger of aphid (tilla) attack but the agricultural extension and research wing were silent over the issue which could be fatal for the crop. Last year the crop suffered massively due to this menace.

He urged the extension wing to take immediate steps for the control of aphid and offered the university's help in this regard. He urged the government to formulate grower friendly policies to safeguard their economic interests and guarantee payment of their produce in case of surplus crops and damage due to inclement weather.

ARRESTED: Police claim to have arrested two outlaws after an encounter in Madina Town here on Monday night. A police patrol intercepted four motorcyclists, but they opened fire and escaped. The police chased them and arrested two of them after a shootout. Those arrested were identified as Umer and Nadeem.