Prof. Dr. Qamar Uz Zaman honoured with Canadian Society for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Lifetime achievement Maple Leaf and Fellow Awards
Rawalpindi – 10 July 2025 (Adnan Hameed) : Prof. Dr. Qamar Zaman, Vice-Chancellor, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, has been honoured with the Canadian Society for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering’s Maple Leaf Award, the Society’s highest distinction and simultaneously elected a Fellow of the Canadian Society for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (CSABE) in recognition of his extraordinary accomplishments in fundamental and applied research, exemplary leadership, extensive teaching, and professional and community contributions.
For more than three decades, Professor Zaman has driven innovation in precision agriculture (PA) across North America and beyond. He has secured multi-million-dollar in competitive research funding and led more than 50 major research and development projects, pioneering variable-rate sprayer technologies that cut agrochemical use by 40% transforming Atlantic Canada’s agriculture industry. His international patents and an authoritative textbook have set the benchmark for sustainable agriculture in Canada and beyond. Professor Zaman has co-authored over 125 peer-reviewed articles, and many book chapters that have shaped the global agenda for data-driven agriculture. He established Atlantic digital agriculture centre at Dalhousie Agricultural Campus, Canada.
Professor Zaman’s teaching, leadership and mentorship accomplishments are equally impressive. He has organised over 250 seminars, workshops, and conferences, and delivered more than 100 keynote lectures on five continents. Under his leadership and supervision, he graduated over 100 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, many now are serving as faculty members and industry leaders in North America, Europe, and Asia. His commitment to professional service has strengthened the CSABE community from coast to coast. As Atlantic Regional Director, he chaired the 2016 International Conference in Halifax, securing vital sponsorships and played a pivotal role in the 2022 Charlottetown Conference. On awards and outreach committees, he has judged student competitions and organized field days that bridge academia and industry, ensuring emerging talent gains recognition and practical experience.
In Pakistan, Professor Zaman’s leadership transformed academic and research infrastructure. Overseeing mega projects as Vice-Chancellor, he founded the Centre for Precision Agriculture and the National Centre for Industrial Biotechnology, modernised curricula with outcome-based education, and guided the filing of many patents. He also launched the country’s first accredited micro-credentials in digital and precision agriculture, recognized by the Pakistan Engineering Council, and hosted leadership forums that unite engineers, agrologists, and industry partners.
Beyond campuses and laboratories, Professor Zaman is a trusted collaborator in the farming community. He has led extension events from grower meetings and field days in Atlantic Canada to hands-on workshops for Pakistani farmers, empowering growers to adopt cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices. His outreach has fostered strong industry–academia linkages and translated complex research into accessible solutions, strengthening rural economies and environmental stewardship.
“Being named both Maple Leaf Award recipient and CSABE Fellow is deeply humbling,” Professor Zaman said. “These honours belong to all the students, colleagues, and growers who share a vision for sustainable, data-driven agriculture.” CSABE applauds his unmatched research, leadership, and community engagement, which continue to raise the bar for agricultural and biosystems engineering worldwide. By awarding these prestigious honours, the CSABE celebrates a leader whose leadership, research, teaching, and service continue to shape the future of agricultural and biosystems engineering.
Professor Zaman’s teaching, leadership and mentorship accomplishments are equally impressive. He has organised over 250 seminars, workshops, and conferences, and delivered more than 100 keynote lectures on five continents. Under his leadership and supervision, he graduated over 100 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, many now are serving as faculty members and industry leaders in North America, Europe, and Asia. His commitment to professional service has strengthened the CSABE community from coast to coast. As Atlantic Regional Director, he chaired the 2016 International Conference in Halifax, securing vital sponsorships and played a pivotal role in the 2022 Charlottetown Conference. On awards and outreach committees, he has judged student competitions and organized field days that bridge academia and industry, ensuring emerging talent gains recognition and practical experience.
