Department of Biotechnology, FOST, UCP

Faculty Achievement | Invited Talk at CLS-2026

Dr. Asma Zafar, Head of Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, UCP, delivered a talk as an invited Speaker at the 3rd International Conference on Life Sciences: Harnessing for Sustainable Health, Environment & Industry (CLS-2026) organized by the Department of Life Sciences, UMT, Lahore.

Her presentation, titled "Harnessing Hyperthermophilic Enzymes for Sustainable Industrial Biotechnology," highlighted the industrial significance of thermostable enzymes, recent advances in recombinant enzyme technology, and their potential applications in sustainable manufacturing and environmental biotechnology.

The Department of Biotechnology congratulates Dr. Asma Zafar on this achievement and appreciates her valuable contribution to advancing research excellence, promoting innovation in biotechnology, and strengthening academic and research collaborations.

Awareness Session on Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Procedures and Guidelines
UCP organized an awareness session on Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Procedures and Guidelines on June 3, 2026, The session was attended by faculty members from Biotechnology department to enhance their understanding of procurement regulations, compliance requirements, and procedures relevant to academic and research activities.
The session was conducted by Dr. Hammad Naveed, Pro-Rector, UCP, who delivered a comprehensive presentation on the PPRA framework and its role in promoting transparency, accountability, fairness, and efficiency in public procurement processes.

Dr Ammara Masood participated in the “One-Day International Workshop on Genome Editing Innovations in Crop Improvement” organized by the National Institute for Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), College of Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences (PIEAS), on May 19, 2026.

The workshop provided valuable insights into the latest advances, tools, and applications of genome editing technologies for sustainable crop improvement and agricultural biotechnology.

The Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, UCP, successfully conducted its 10th Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) and 22nd Board of Studies (BoS) meeting. The session focused on curriculum review, academic quality enhancement, and discussion on new academic initiatives including BS Agri-Technology and DVM programs. The department acknowledges and appreciates the valuable input and continued support of all esteemed board members in strengthening academia–industry collaboration.

Special thanks are extended to the respected IAB members Dr. Jahangir Khan and Dr. Shaista Javed, and BoS members Prof. Dr. Hamid Mukhtar and Dr. Muhammad Khurshid for their insightful contributions and continued guidance.

"Stars of Biotechnology Product Development Domain"

Terra Mush – From Soil to Soul Secures Innovation Funding
University of Central Punjab ORIC has selected Terra Mush – From Soil to Soul for the FYP–Student-Led Research & Innovation Fund in recognition of its sustainable waste management approach. The project team comprises Aneeq Ur Rehman, Amna Fatima, Bushra Javed, Robaisha, Maidah Sultan, and Baitullah Haseeb under the supervision of Ms. Sadia Zia and Dr. Sadaf Zahra. The project focuses on converting cafeteria organic waste into nutritious oyster mushrooms through eco-friendly cultivation methods. By promoting circular economy practices and sustainable food production, the initiative aims to reduce waste disposal burdens while creating environmental awareness within the university community. The awarded funding will assist the team in scaling cultivation activities, awareness campaigns, and community engagement efforts across the campus.

GreenGuard Receives UCP ORIC FYP Research & Innovation Funding
University of Central Punjab ORIC has awarded the FYP–Student-Led Research & Innovation Fund to the project GreenGuard, an AI-powered smart agriculture solution developed to enhance plant health monitoring and disease detection. The project team includes Minahil Kamran, Hamia Khalil, Laiba Farooq, and Sabra Anwar. The project is supervised by Mr. Muhammad Zulkifl Hassan and Dr. Sadaf Hameed. GreenGuard integrates deep learning, environmental sensors, and ensemble learning techniques to provide real-time analysis and recommendations for farmers. Through its web-based monitoring dashboard, the project aims to support sustainable farming practices, improve crop productivity, and enable early disease detection. The funding will support further development, testing, and implementation of this innovative agricultural technology solution.

From classroom ideas to a national stage — we are proud to celebrate the achievement of our Biotechnology student, Mah Noor Arif, founder of BakeTheory, for winning the Entrepreneurial Female Youth Pitch Competition organized by the . ✨
Out of hundreds of business ideas from across Punjab, BakeTheory secured a place among the top finalists and received a PKR 1 Million grant to transform innovation into impact.
This achievement reflects the spirit of creativity, entrepreneurship, and determination nurtured at the Department of Biotechnology, UCP. We congratulate Mah Noor on representing UCP on a prestigious platform and turning a vision into reality.

Dr. Hira Mubeen, Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, has been featured in LIC Magazine, highlighting the importance of research-led education, scientific curiosity, and innovation-driven solutions to real-world challenges. The feature also emphasizes why researchers should engage in teaching, as it bridges discovery with learning, nurtures critical thinking in students, and transforms scientific knowledge into meaningful societal impact