Department of Plant Pathology (DPP), University of the Punjab, Lahore, organized a one-day educational visit on October 10, 2025, to Bular Seed Corporation NankanaSahib to deepen student learning through practical field exposure. The delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Amna Shoaib (Chairperson), joined by Prof. Dr. Uzma Bashir, Dr. Nasir Subhani (Associate Professor), and Dr. Tariq Manzoor (Assistant Professor), who accompanied graduate and postgraduate students to evaluate crop health and disease incidence under real farm conditions.

During field evaluations, students identified key rice diseases brown spot, false smut, and bacterial leaf blight and noted lodging linked to environmental factors. The team also observed red rot in sorghum and foliar diseases in sorghum, broadening their understanding of crop pathology across different hosts. Infected plant tissues were collected for laboratory examination to strengthen diagnostic skills and supplement classroom teaching with hands-on training.
An MoU was signed between the Department of Plant Pathology and Bular Seed Corporation to strengthen collaboration in research, innovation, and sustainable crop protection. The partnership will support joint trials, experiential learning opportunities, and problem-driven research that addresses pressing challenges faced by growers and industry stakeholders. Emphasizing the importance of field-based learning, Prof. Dr. Amna Shoaib noted that such activities “connect classroom knowledge with real-world agricultural practices and prepare students to meet future challenges in plant health management.

The visit concluded with a cultural stop at Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Participants reflected on the site’s historical significance and cultural heritage, fostering respect for Pakistan’s diverse religious history and interfaith harmony alongside scientific learning.

Participants were also encouraged to share their reflections through a feedback form to help improve future academic visits. Their responses, compiled and presented through graphical summaries generated from Google Forms, highlighted strong appreciation for the trip’s educational value and enthusiasm for regular field-based learning opportunities.