Lahore: The Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Forman Christian College to promote science-led development and strengthen collaboration across key sectors including agriculture, food safety, water quality, and pharmaceuticals.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The agreement was formally signed at PAFDA headquarters in Lahore by Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, Director General of PAFDA, and Dr. Douglas E. Trimble, Vice Rector of FCCU. The ceremony was attended by senior scientists, faculty members, and institutional leadership from both organizations.
The signing was also witnessed by Prof. Dr. Kausar Abdullah Malik, Vice Chairman of PAFDA and Dean at FCCU, highlighting the strong academic and regulatory alignment driving this collaboration.
Focus on Research, Testing, and Innovation
This partnership brings together FCCU’s academic excellence and research expertise with PAFDA’s advanced analytical infrastructure and trained scientific workforce. The collaboration is expected to enhance regulatory science, strengthen laboratory testing systems, and support public health and environmental protection initiatives.
Under the MoU, both institutions will jointly work on:
- Pesticide residue testing in water and food systems
- Development and validation of advanced analytical methods
- Strengthening ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation systems
- Research on pharmaceutical stability and shelf-life evaluation
- Joint training programs for students, researchers, and lab professionals
The agreement also covers advanced scientific areas such as genomics, molecular diagnostics, and multi-omics applications, particularly in agriculture and biological sciences.
Capacity Building and Knowledge Exchange
A key component of the partnership is capacity building through structured training programs, knowledge exchange, and collaborative research initiatives. Both institutions aim to develop scientific data systems, including environmental monitoring and geochemical mapping, to support evidence-based decision-making.
Leadership Perspective
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Douglas E. Trimble described the collaboration as a “significant new beginning” for scientific advancement in Punjab and Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of translating research into real-world impact.
Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha noted that the partnership aligns with PAFDA’s mandate of protecting public health, enabling trade, and driving innovation. He added that it also supports the Authority’s Vision 2035 to build a globally recognized analytical and regulatory ecosystem.
Strengthening Academia–Regulator Linkages
Both institutions stressed that the success of this MoU will depend on effective implementation, measurable outcomes, and sustained collaboration. The partnership is expected to play a vital role in strengthening the link between academia and regulatory science in Pakistan.
This initiative marks an important step toward improving scientific capacity, enhancing testing infrastructure, and supporting data-driven policy and regulatory decisions in the country.