Rawalpindi-A two-day USAID training workshop on talent grooming and career counselling for scholars under USAID-funded Merit & Needs-Based Scholarship Programme (phase-11) commenced at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR), yesterday, with an aim to improve communication and interview skills of the graduating scholars and provide them guidance to groom their personal and professional skills and better job searching.

The workshop is being arranged by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and USAID under the Pakistan-USAID Merit and Need Based Scholarship Program. On the occasion, PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad was the chief guest and faculty members, students and representatives from HEC and USAID were also present.

Fifty-five students of MSC (Hons) Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Forestry & Range Management including ten students from Agriculture University Peshawar are attending the workshop.

Prof Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor PMAS-AAUR,, while addressing said that no nation can develop without education and advised students to work hard and contribute in economic development of Pakistan after completion of their studies. He emphasised the need for such training workshops which will help the students to equip themselves as per the industry requirements.

While talking to the participants, he congratulated them to be the beneficiaries of USAID funded scholarship program and wished to arrange more such training programs for students which will help them to understand the future challenges in job market.

Vice Chancellor thanked the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and. USAID for providing this opportunity to deserving students of this University who are unable to continue their studies due to financial hardships.

The participants will get training and counseling by well renowned resource persons on different topics including communication skills, inter/intrapersonal & presentation skills, interactive group activity, how to make research projects, compilation of research report, confidence building, decision making skills, art of CV writing & interview, challenges and opportunities in job market, self-actualization-option for flexible career & talent management, learn and develop relevant job skills, jobs search strategy, entrepreneurship-the innovative ideas, opportunities for entrepreneurship, and e-marketing & e-business.