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D-8 Bioinformatics Bootcamp 2025 Concludes with Call to Utilize AI in Sustainable Agriculture

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A two-week international training programme in bioinformatics and industrial biotechnology, jointly organised by the D-8 Research Centre for Agriculture and Food Security, the Centre of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Agriculture and Food Security at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), and PCSIR Lahore, concluded on Friday at the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) Laboratories Complex, Lahore. The bootcamp aimed to enhance regional collaboration and build capacity in computational genomics and industrial biotechnology. The initiative highlighted the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence in modern farming practices, with experts discussing the role of AI in overcoming global challenges related to food security and climate resilience.

Key Takeaways:

  • The D-8 Bioinformatics Bootcamp 2025 was a two-week international training programme that brought together experts from D-8 member states to enhance regional collaboration and build capacity in computational genomics and industrial biotechnology.
  • The bootcamp included practical training in advanced bioinformatics, industrial biotechnology, and downstream processing techniques, with a focus on utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in agriculture and food security.
  • The initiative aimed to strengthen research collaboration across D-8 member states and promote the use of AI in microbiology and agriculture to achieve food security, climate resilience, and sustainable development goals.
  • The bootcamp featured a keynote speech by D-8 High Commissioner Ahmed Amjad Ali, who stressed the need for enhanced technological cooperation among D-8 countries and called for shared platforms to foster research and innovation in the agricultural sector.
  • UAF Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali underscored the urgent need to adopt data-driven approaches to tackle issues of declining crop yields, water scarcity, and climate change, and reiterated UAF's commitment to equipping researchers and farmers with cutting-edge tools and knowledge.
  • Prof. Dr. Wu Jun from the Guangzhou Institute of Software Application, China, presented Kisan360 - an AI-powered crop monitoring tool developed in collaboration with UAF, offering real-time data on crop health, irrigation needs, and weather forecasting.
  • The bootcamp concluded with a collective commitment from participants and organisers to strengthen research collaboration across D-8 member states and pursue joint efforts to achieve food security, climate resilience, and sustainable development goals.

Statistics:

  • 20 participants from D-8 member states, including Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt, Iran, Malaysia, and Thailand, attended the bootcamp.
  • 10 international experts from China, the United States, and Europe participated in the event as speakers, trainers, and moderators.
  • The bootcamp featured two phases of training: the first at UAF focused on advanced bioinformatics, and the second at PCSIR Lahore focused on industrial biotechnology.
  • The initiative was jointly organised by the D-8 Research Centre for Agriculture and Food Security, the Centre of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Agriculture and Food Security at UAF, and PCSIR Lahore.

Sources:

  • "D-8 Bioinformatics Bootcamp 2025 concludes with call to utilise AI in sustainable agriculture" (Pakistan Daily Times, [no date])
  • D-8 Research Centre for Agriculture and Food Security (D-8 RCAFoS)
  • University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF)
  • Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR)

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