Vice Chancellor Dr Khushk, inaugurates two New Science Laboratories at SALU Khairpur

Vice Chancellor Dr Khushk, inaugurates two New Science Laboratories at SALU Khairpur
Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU) Khairpur's Vice Chancellor, Meritorious Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yousuf Khushk, inaugurated two cutting-edge science laboratories at the university on Tuesday. These include the Interdisciplinary and Drug Discovery Lab at the Biochemistry Department and the DNA Fingerprinting Facilities Lab at the Dates Palm Research Institute (DIPRI).
The total cost of these laboratories amounted to Rs. 8 million, funded by the Sindh Higher Education Commission (Sindh HEC), Karachi. Dr. Abdul Rehman Phull from the Biochemistry Department and Dr. Ameer Ahmed Mirbhar, along with Co-Principal Investigator Dr. Mumtaz Saand from the Botany Department, were key figures in securing the funding and driving the projects.
In his speech at the inauguration, Vice Chancellor Dr. Yousuf Khushk expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Tariq Rafi, Chairman of Sindh HEC, Moeen-ud-Din Siddiqi, Secretary of Sindh HEC, and the expert team of Sindh HEC for awarding these prestigious projects to SALU scholars.
He particularly praised the Principal Investigators and Co-Principal Investigators for their pivotal role in securing the funding and successfully establishing these state-of-the-art facilities. Dr. Khushk emphasized the importance of these labs in advancing research, particularly in the field of alternative and complementary medicine.
Despite financial challenges, Dr. Khushk highlighted that the university continues to progress, citing the inauguration of these laboratories as a step forward. "These laboratories will not only benefit our departments and students but also contribute to the wider community," he said, adding that faculty members are instrumental in the university's growth and research capabilities.
Dr. Abdul Rehman Phull explained that the new Drug Discovery Lab will focus on exploring the nutritional and therapeutic potential of indigenous plants, natural products, and synthetic materials. This aligns with global trends toward sustainable and accessible therapeutic solutions.
Dr. Ameer Ahmed Mirbhar shared that the DNA Fingerprinting Laboratory is a significant milestone for SALU, offering numerous benefits, including advancements in research, education, and societal impact. It will also foster international research collaborations.
Pro Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Wahid Bux Jatoi, emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to maximize the outcomes of this project, encouraging researchers across disciplines to contribute to its success.
He added that the new Drug Discovery Lab and DNA Fingerprinting Laboratory mark a significant milestone for Shah Abdul Latif University, paving the way for pioneering research in drug discovery and Dates Palm and addressing regional healthcare challenges.
Prof. Dr. Mushtaq Ali Jakhrani, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, also spoke about the vital role of natural remedies and their potential for future research.
The ceremony was attended by Deans Prof. Dr. Ghulam Mustafa Mashori, Prof. Dr. Amir Hussain Shar, Prof. Dr. Noor Ahmed Shaikh, Prof. Dr. Naveed Shaikh, Chairman Department of Biochemistry Dr. Abdul Majid Ansari, Chairman Department of Zoology Javed Ahmed Ujjain, Mumtaz Saand Chairman Department of Botany, Dr. Siraj Sommro Chairman Pakistan Studies, Focal Person QEC Dr. Irum Rani Shaikh, Khalida Mahar Director Institute of Chemistry, Samina Rajpar Focal Person ORIC, Focal Person PGS Dr. Munir Ahmed Kazi, Dr. Inayat Bhatti, Dr. Bhajan Lal, Dr. Sham Lal, Dr. Sahaita Pathan, Dr. Sahib Oad, Dr Shazia Solangi, Akbar Shaikh Director Finance, Imran Sommro, Waseem Kalhoro, Altaf Abro, Zaman Shah, faculty members from other departments reflecting the University's commitment to fostering a collaborative academic and research environment.