IRCOH Collaborations

National Partnerships

From Establishment to Expansion

The 21 founding universities of PAKOHUN in 2025 2025

Establishment of PAKOHUN

The Pakistan One Health University Network was launched by the University of Sargodha during IRCOH Conference, held on 10–11 April 2025. The network began with 21 universities and established a national platform for joint research, knowledge exchange, capacity building, and coordinated responses to One Health challenges.

21 Founding Universities
April Launch Month
2025 Established
PAKOHUN expanded to 32 universities in 2026 2026

Expansion to 32 Universities

Within one year (IRCOH Conference 2026), PAKOHUN expanded from 21 to 31 member universities. The addition of 10 institutions represents approximately 47.62% growth and provides wider opportunities for research, training, resource sharing, academic partnerships, and community engagement.

31 Member Universities
+10 New Institutions
47.62% Network Growth
Institutional Connections

National Collaborations and MoUs

These partnerships support research contract, knowledge exchange, biosafety, innovation, and wider implementation of the One Health approach.

MoU signing ceremony with the Association for Biorisk Management
1
Memorandum of Understanding

Association for Biorisk Management

Faculty representative: Prof. Dr. Zafar Hayat

Purpose and scope

This MoU establishes a collaborative partnership between the University of Sargodha and the Association for Biorisk Management for the implementation of the Pakistan Biorisk Management Program.

Key areas of collaboration

  • Strengthening biosafety and biosecurity practices in biological laboratories
  • Supporting the safe handling and control of zoonotic pathogens
  • Building institutional capacity in biological risk management
  • Promoting One Health strategies for disease prevention
  • Supporting relevant training and awareness activities
Fodder Research Institute
2
Institutional Collaboration

Fodder Research Institute

Faculty representative: Dr. Asma Ashfaq

Purpose and scope

This MoU establishes research collaboration for assessing eight oat genotypes for yield and nutritional characteristics. It also evaluates Sargodha Lucerne 2002 and Ausaf alfalfa varieties under drought stress and investigates biofertilizers for improving fodder productivity, quality, soil health, and resource-use efficiency.

Purdue University logo
University of Sargodha logo
3
Letter of Intent

Purdue University, USA

Faculty representative: Prof. Dr. Zafar Hayat

Purpose and scope

This Letter of Intent establishes a framework for academic and research collaboration between Purdue University, USA, and the University of Sargodha, Pakistan, particularly in animal sciences, One Health, education, and interdisciplinary research.

Key areas of collaboration

  • Faculty and research-scholar exchange
  • Academic engagement of students
  • Joint research and publications
  • Collaborative teaching and learning
  • Technical assistance and expertise sharing
  • Capacity building and professional training
Beaconhouse Group partnership Beaconhouse Group academic collaboration
4
Academic Collaboration

Beaconhouse Group

Faculty representative: Dr. Asma Ashfaq

Purpose and scope

The purpose of this MoU with the Beaconhouse Group is to promote environmental sustainability and strengthen climate resilience through the plantation of indigenous tree species at the University of Sargodha. The collaboration also aims to establish a digital monitoring system to record plantation locations, track tree growth and survival rates, and evaluate the long-term environmental impact of the plantation initiative. This MoU aims to enhance green cover, promote biodiversity, improve environmental sustainability, and strengthen climate resilience across the university campus. It also supports digital monitoring of plantation locations, tree growth, survival rates, and long-term environmental impact.

AI GeoNavigator collaboration AI GeoNavigator research partnership
5
Technology and Research Collaboration

AI GeoNavigator

Faculty representatives: Dr. Syed Haroon Ali and Dr. Hafiza Mamona Nazir

Purpose and scope

This MoU establishes an academia–industry partnership between IRCOH and AI GEO Navigators. It integrates geosciences, GIS, remote sensing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, climate science, environmental monitoring, and One Health. It also supports joint projects, publications, grants, consultancy, technology transfer, workshops, internships, field training, and access to technical expertise and research resources.

Industry and Institutional Engagement

Contract Research and Consultancy

IRCOH connects academic expertise with national and international organizations through contract research, consultancy, technical assistance, product evaluation, knowledge exchange, and interdisciplinary innovation.

17 Total Agreements During 2025–2026

2025 Agreements

Contract research, consultancy and institutional collaboration

7 Agreements
01 Contract Research

Saf Noor Industries

Industrial Innovation and Technical Support

Faculty representative:
Dr. Hafiza Mamona Nazir

Academic partner: IRCOH, University of Sargodha Partner organization: Saf Noor Industries Agreement year: 2025

This collaboration provides data-driven consultancy services through statistical analysis, predictive modelling, quality-control techniques, and staff training. It aims to improve product reliability, sales performance, operational efficiency, and market outreach.

02 Contract Research

Ayan Crop Sciences

Crop Health and Agricultural Innovation

Faculty representative:
Dr. Muhammad Asam Riaz

Academic partner: IRCOH, University of Sargodha Partner organization: Ayan Crop Sciences Agreement year: 2025

This contract research evaluates newly imported agrochemicals against fall armyworm in maize. Laboratory and field trials assess product efficacy under local conditions and examine potential environmental and human-health impacts.

03 Research Consultancy

Hafeez Farms

Orange Quality and Orchard Management

Faculty representative:
Dr. Asma Ashfaq

Academic partner: IRCOH, University of Sargodha Partner organization: Hafeez Farms Agreement year: 2025

This consultancy supports quality-control assessments and associated research activities for orange orchards. It examines orchard-management practices and relevant fruit-quality parameters to improve production and reduce post-harvest losses.

04 Contract Research

GULF Labs

Geosciences and Technical Research

Faculty representative:
Dr. Syed Haroon Ali

Academic partner: IRCOH, University of Sargodha Partner organization: GULF Labs Agreement year: 2025

This collaboration supports research activities involving stratigraphic identification, geological mapping, GIS-based structural analysis, digital elevation models, technical reporting, and validation of geological outputs.

05 Contract Research

Quaper (Pvt.) Ltd.

Pharmaceutical and Product Development

Faculty representative:
Dr. Ume Ruqia Tulain

Academic partner: IRCOH, University of Sargodha Partner organization: Quaper (Pvt.) Ltd. Agreement year: 2025

This contract research supports the development of pharmaceutical products and addresses challenges associated with low-solubility drug candidates during preclinical and clinical formulation-development stages.

06 Contract Research

OLUS Plus

Animal Nutrition and Feed Solutions

Faculty representative:
Prof. Dr. Zafar Hayat

Academic partner: IRCOH, University of Sargodha Partner organization: OLUS Plus Agreement year: 2025

This research evaluates OLUS Plus products against major avian pathogenic bacteria, including antimicrobial-resistant strains. The findings support product evaluation, poultry disease management, and responsible antimicrobial use.

07 Contract Research

ADDEASY Group China

International Feed Technology Collaboration

Faculty representative:
Prof. Dr. Zafar Hayat

Academic partner: IRCOH, University of Sargodha Partner organization: ADDEASY Group China Agreement year: 2025

This research evaluates Tributyrin and Fepro-L in broiler chickens, focusing on growth performance, feed efficiency, productivity, gut health, and digestive function under controlled conditions.

2026 Agreements

Contract research, consultancy and institutional collaboration

10 Agreements
08 Contract Research

Hafeez Farms

Orange Quality and Orchard Management

Faculty representative:
Dr. Asma Ashfaq

Academic partner: IRCOH, University of Sargodha Partner organization: Hafeez Farms Agreement year: 2026

This collaboration assesses orange quality through orchard inspections and scientific evaluation of fruit size, colour, firmness, Brix levels, phytosanitary conditions, irrigation, fertilisation, pruning, and pest-management practices.

09 Research Agreement

Shahzinda Rice Mills

Food Safety and Industrial Quality

Faculty representative:
Dr. Hafiza Mamona Nazir

Academic partner: IRCOH, University of Sargodha Partner organization: Shahzinda Rice Mills Agreement year: 2026

This agreement applies statistical analysis, data analytics, and operational research to optimise rice-milling processes, strengthen quality control, predict production and market trends, and improve the research capacity of company staff.

10 Contract Research

GULF Labs

Geosciences and Laboratory Capacity

Faculty representative:
Dr. Syed Haroon Ali

Academic partner: IRCOH, University of Sargodha Partner organization: GULF Labs Agreement year: 2026

This research supports geological mapping, stratigraphic identification, GIS and remote-sensing analysis, technical-report preparation, modelling methodology, and development of research publications.

11 Consultancy Agreement

Tarar Dairy Farm, Sargodha

Dairy Health and Production Management

Faculty representative:
Dr. Muhammad Shahbaz Zafar

Academic partner: IRCOH, University of Sargodha Partner organization: Tarar Dairy Farm, Sargodha Agreement year: 2026

This consultancy provides veterinary, nutrition, and herd-management expertise to improve animal health, milk production, milk quality, ration formulation, reproductive performance, hygiene, and sustainable farm operations.

12 Contract Research

IR Farms

Agricultural and Farm-Based Solutions

Faculty representative:
Dr. Muhammad Asam Riaz

Academic partner: IRCOH, University of Sargodha Partner organization: IR Farms Agreement year: 2026

This research evaluates nano-formulated agrochemicals against difficult-to-control soil-dwelling insects and generates evidence for safer and more effective soil-pest management in Pakistan.

13 Contract Research

Tara Crop Science

Plant Health and Precision Agriculture

Faculty representative:
Dr. Asma Ashfaq

Academic partner: IRCOH, University of Sargodha Partner organization: Tara Crop Science Agreement year: 2026

This collaboration develops and evaluates AI-enabled slow-release nutrient formulations for precision agriculture, focusing on nutrient-use efficiency, crop performance, sustainability, and reduced environmental losses.

14 Contract Research

Wellborne Pharmachem & Biologicals

Pharmaceutical and Biological Products

Faculty representative:
Dr. Ume Ruqia Tulain

Academic partner: IRCOH, University of Sargodha Partner organization: Wellborne Pharmachem & Biologicals Agreement year: 2026

This research focuses on pharmaceutical-product stability, quality performance, formulation optimisation, lifecycle improvement, and compliance with ICH guidelines and applicable regulatory requirements.

15 Consultancy Agreement

Sefon Parma

Veterinary Nutraceutical Development

Faculty representative:
Dr. Muhammad Shahbaz Zafar

Academic partner: IRCOH, University of Sargodha Partner organization: Sefon Parma Agreement year: 2026

This consultancy provides veterinary and animal-nutrition guidance for developing and evaluating dairy and poultry nutraceutical products, supplementation strategies, application protocols, and standard operating procedures.

16 Contract Research

Hankkija, Finland

International Animal Nutrition Collaboration

Faculty representative:
Prof. Dr. Zafar Hayat

Academic partner: IRCOH, University of Sargodha Partner organization: Hankkija, Finland Agreement year: 2026

This research evaluates Pro-Gut and Pro-Humi prebiotic products in broiler chickens, focusing on growth, feed efficiency, gut health, digestive function, immune parameters, and sustainable poultry production.

17 Contract Research

Uni-Biotech Solutions

Biotechnology and Applied Research

Faculty representative:
Prof. Dr. Zafar Hayat

Academic partner: IRCOH, University of Sargodha Partner organization: Uni-Biotech Solutions Agreement year: 2026

This collaboration undertakes encapsulation and spray drying of amylase to improve enzyme stability, protection, storage life, retained activity, and suitability for potential industrial applications.

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