Turbat University to become a globally renowned hub in the field of research, VC
Posted on 13 May, 2023 - Published by
Turbat(13th May 2023) Dr. Iftikhar Ahmed Baloch, an emerging scientist and Assistant Professor at the University of Turbat's Panjgur Campus (now known as the University of Makran) has conducted research on the genetic information of date palms in the Makran division. He submitted the data and results of his research project to the GenBank National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) in the United States of America (USA). His research focuses on chloroplast DNA sequences and genetic information on four date varieties, namely Begum Jangi, Aleeni, Shakar, and Mozathi.
Revealing a detailed picture of his research work, Dr. Baloch said that the date palm is one of the oldest cultivated fruit trees and is mostly being cultivated as a cash crop since ancient times in the Makran division of the Balochistan province of Pakistan.
Congratulating Dr. Iftikhar Ahmed Baloch for his accomplishment, UoT’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Jan Muhammad has said that the submission of data on four date varieties by a biological research scientist of Turbat University to NCBI is a significant milestone for his institution that demonstrates UoT’s commitment to research culture.
He informed that under the Government of Balochistan-sponsored University of Turbat Research Fund (UoTRF), eighteen research projects were selected for funding, including Dr. Baloch's. This research will provide new information on date palms to increase their cultivation.
Dr. Jan Muhammad said that this research work will make new information accessible to researchers worldwide and they can use it for further exploration of date palms, and it can be helpful for researchers interested in molecular studies on date varieties. He said that this triumph is a testament that the University of Turbat undoubtedly would become a globally renowned hub in the field of research and innovation in the near future.
While giving credit to the University of Turbat and its Vice-Chancellor and Campus Coordinator Prof. Dr. Gul Hasan for providing him with a platform to undertake his research project, Dr. Iftikhar Baloch said that Prof. Dr. Jan Muhammad joined UoT as its 2nd Vice-Chancellor in March 2021 with a vision to promote research culture at the University of Turbat. Soon after his joining he strengthened the ORIC under the supervision of Dr. Ghulam Jan and established many research opportunities including the University of Turbat Research Fund (UOTRF) funded by the Government of Balochistan.
Dr. Baloch expressed his gratitude to the Government of Balochistan for funding the research project. He also thanked the support extended by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Jan Muhammad, Dean & Campus Coordinator Prof. Dr. Gul Hassan, and Director ORIC Dr. Ghulam Jan during conducting the research project.