Enduring research partnerships with Pakistan

Last month Prof. Talat Naseer Pasha, Vice Chancellor of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) in Lahore, Pakistan, visited ACIAR to discuss continuing partnerships with Australian universities.

(Left to right) Mr Baxter, Prof Pasha, Dr Austin and Dr Horne at ACIAR headquarters, Canberra.

UVAS is one of ACIAR’s key partners involved in dairy research under the AusAID-supported Australia–PakistanAgriculture Sector Linkages Program. 

The dairy component of this program is focusing on improving dairy production and strengthening dairy value chains, particularly through improved smallholder farm management and extension services. Australia's Charles Sturt University (CSU) is the lead domestic partner for this work. 

Prof Pasha met with CSU project leader Dr Peter Wynn, and ACIAR’s Dr Nick Austin (CEO) and senior managers Mr Les Baxter (Principal regionalcoordinator for Pakistan) and Dr Peter Horne (Livestock Production Systemsprogram manager). 

The universities’ partnership formally established through the ASLP is now set to continue beyond the program.

"This is what marks the success of ACIAR's work: when partnerships become sustainable beyond the scope and timeframe of the projects we're working in," said ACIAR's Les Baxter.

By Alexandra Bagnara, ACIAR Communications  

More information: 

Agricultural Sector Linkages Program (ASLP)
Improving dairy production in Pakistan through improved extension services
Strenghtening dairy value chains in Pakistan through improved farm management and more effective extensions services
Fact sheet: Improving market opportunities for mangoes in Pakistan