The World Ambassador (TWA)

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Rawalpindi, July 10, 2025 — Prof. Dr. Qamar Uz Zaman, Vice-Chancellor of Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, has been awarded the Maple Leaf Award — the highest honour bestowed by the Canadian Society for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (CSABE). Simultaneously, he has also been inducted as a Fellow of the CSABE, in recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to precision agriculture, research, education, and professional service.

With a career spanning over 30 years, Dr. Zaman has been a leading force in transforming agriculture through innovation and sustainability. His pioneering work in precision agriculture (PA) has revolutionized agrochemical usage across Canada, particularly in Atlantic Canada, where his variable-rate spraying technology helped reduce chemical use by up to 40%. He has led more than 50 major R&D projects, secured multi-million-dollar grants, and holds several international patents. His textbook on digital agriculture has become a global standard for sustainable farming practices.

As the founder of the Atlantic Digital Agriculture Centre at Dalhousie University, Canada, Dr. Zaman also played a key role in shaping global agricultural policy through his 125+ peer-reviewed articles, influential book chapters, and data-driven methodologies now widely adopted worldwide.

Beyond research, his contributions as an educator and mentor are equally remarkable. He has conducted over 250 international seminars, workshops, and conferences, and delivered more than 100 keynote speeches across five continents. Over 100 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows have graduated under his supervision — many now hold leading positions in academia and industry globally.

His active leadership in CSABE includes organizing major conferences like the 2016 Halifax International Conference and the 2022 Charlottetown Conference, where he played a central role in fundraising, student engagement, and academic–industry collaboration. He has also served on awards and outreach committees, helping to elevate the next generation of agricultural engineers.

In Pakistan, Dr. Zaman has led a major transformation at PMAS-Arid Agriculture University. As Vice-Chancellor, he spearheaded the development of cutting-edge academic infrastructure, including the Centre for Precision Agriculture and the National Centre for Industrial Biotechnology. His efforts modernized the curriculum with outcome-based education (OBE) and introduced Pakistan’s first accredited micro-credentials in digital and precision agriculture, approved by the Pakistan Engineering Council.

Beyond academia, Dr. Zaman has remained deeply connected to farming communities. From grower meetings in Canada to training workshops for Pakistani farmers, he has worked tirelessly to bring advanced technologies to the grassroots, empowering rural economies and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Reacting to the dual honour, Dr. Zaman said, “Being named both the Maple Leaf Award recipient and a CSABE Fellow is truly humbling. These recognitions reflect the dedication of my students, colleagues, and collaborators worldwide who believe in the future of sustainable, technology-driven agriculture.”

The CSABE praised Dr. Zaman for his unparalleled leadership, research, teaching, and service, stating that his contributions continue to set global benchmarks in agricultural and biosystems engineering.