The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) has taken a leading role in addressing Pakistan's pressing environmental challenges by launching a major international dialogue. The second three-day International Conference on "Climate, Water, and Environment Nexus: Navigating Scarcity and Sustainability" commenced on Monday, organized by the university's Institute of Agro-Industry under the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment.
University Leadership Stresses Urgent Action
In his presidential address, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kamran underscored the critical global and national relevance of the conference theme. He positioned the event as a vital platform for scientists, experts, and researchers from Pakistan and abroad to develop concrete recommendations for protecting communities from the impacts of a rapidly changing climate.
Dr. Kamran highlighted Pakistan's acute vulnerability, noting its exposure to severe climate-induced disasters like devastating floods and hazardous smog. He reminded attendees that the United Nations lists Pakistan among the countries most affected by climate change. Emphasizing IUB's proactive stance, he stated the university is preparing students to tackle these emerging global threats and is contributing to climate resilience through innovative academic programs, such as the pioneering BS in Artificial Intelligence and Climate Change.
Research, Innovation, and National Collaboration
Prof. Dr. Tanveer Hussain Turabi, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, detailed IUB's hands-on research commitment. He revealed that university scientists are deeply engaged in projects related to climate change adaptation, green energy, and sustainable farming practices. Their work has already borne fruit with the successful development of climate-resilient varieties of cotton, wheat, rice, fruits, and vegetables.
Prof. Dr. Ghulam Hassan Abbasi, the Conference Focal Person, shared the scale of the gathering. This second edition of the conference has attracted nine vice chancellors and over 100 delegates from across Pakistan, who are sharing insights on global environmental trends and presenting scientific solutions.
Expert Insights Launch the Dialogue
The opening day set a high academic standard with keynote lectures from renowned scholars. The distinguished speakers included Prof. Dr. Moazzam Jameel (Former Dean of Agriculture, IUB), Prof. Dr. Muhammad Anwar ul Haq (University of Agriculture, Faisalabad), Prof. Dr. Shafqat Ali (Government College University, Faisalabad), Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rehman (University of Agriculture, Faisalabad), and Prof. Dr. Allah Wadhayo (Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam). Their collective expertise provided a comprehensive foundation for the discussions to follow in the coming days.
The conference represents a significant step in consolidating Pakistan's academic and scientific response to the interconnected crises of water scarcity, environmental degradation, and climate volatility. By fostering collaboration between national and international experts, IUB aims to translate research into actionable strategies for a more sustainable future.
