Government College University Faisalabad Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology organized a two-day international symposium on “Recent Advances in Plant Biotechnology for Sustainable Development & Climate Change,” bringing together researchers, scientists, faculty members, and students from across Pakistan.

The event was held under the patronage of Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Rauf-i-Azam as Patron-in-Chief, and Dean Faculty of Life Sciences Prof. Dr. Farhat Jabeen as Patron. The symposium was organized by Chairperson Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology Prof. Dr. Usman Ali Ashfaq, while Prof. Dr. Mehmood-ur-Rahman Ansari served as Principal Organizer and Dr. Farrukh Azeem as Symposium Secretary.

Approximately 140 students and researchers from 13 universities across the country participated in the symposium. The participants presented their research work through oral and poster presentations and engaged in scientific discussions on sustainable agriculture, plant biotechnology, and climate change adaptation. The symposium featured eminent scientists and academicians, including Dr. Javed Ahmad, Prof. Dr. Abdul Qayyum Rao, Dr. Hafiz Bashir Ahmad, and Dr. Allah Bakhsh.

In the inaugural session, speakers highlighted the importance of modern biotechnological approaches in addressing food security and environmental challenges under changing climatic conditions. They emphasized collaborative research, innovation, and practical application of scientific advancements for sustainable development.

The first technical session was chaired by Dr. Mian Abdur Rehman Arif and Prof. Dr. Rizwan Rasheed, while co-chaired by Dr. Ijaz Rasul and Dr. Tayyaba Shaheen. Invited speakers shared insights into modern agricultural biotechnology and crop improvement strategies.

The second technical session was chaired by Dr. Muhammad Tahir and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Hidayat Rasool, and co-chaired by Dr. Muhammad Shahid and Dr. Muhammad Hussnain Siddique. The keynote address focused on emerging biotechnological innovations and their applications in sustainable agriculture.

The symposium concluded with a vote of thanks, noting that the event provided a strong platform for knowledge sharing, research collaboration, and academic networking in the field of plant biotechnology.