Department of Botany successfully conducted two PhD thesis defenses

The Department of Botany, Government College Women University Faisalabad, successfully conducted two PhD thesis defenses on 2nd September 2026, providing a platform for doctoral researchers to present and defend their research before distinguished external examiners, faculty members, and research scholars. Ms. Mahrukh (Registration No. 2023-GCWUF-0740) defended her Ph.D. thesis entitled ???Beneficial Effects of Rhizobacteria on Maize (Zea mays L.) Growth and Physio-Biochemical Attributes under Drought Stress.??? Her research was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Irfana Lalarukh, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, GCWUF, as Supervisor-I, and Dr. Muhammad Shahbaz, Associate Professor, Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, as Supervisor-II. Ms. Mahrukh presented her research findings and responded to questions and observations raised by the examination panel and participants. Following Ms. Mahrukh???s defense, Ms. Nayab Zahra (Registration No. 2014-GCWUF-1493) presented and defended her PhD thesis entitled ???Assessing the Effectiveness of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria in the Extenuation of Lead Toxicity in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.).??? Ms. Nayab Zahra also conducted her doctoral research under the supervision of Dr. Irfana Lalarukh, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, GCWUF. She presented her research work and responded to questions and observations from the examination panel and academic participants. The public defenses of both scholars were evaluated by distinguished external examiners, Prof. Dr. Abdul Nasir Khalid, Department of Botany, University of the Punjab, Lahore, and Prof. Dr. Naeem Iqbal, Department of Botany, GC University, Faisalabad. The proceedings were attended by Dr. Abida Kausar, Chairperson, Department of Botany, GCWUF; Mr. Sulman Aziz, Controller of Examinations; Dr. Saima Tehseen, Additional Director Academics; Dr. Shakeel Imran, Director QEC; Dr. Sumaira Aslam (Nominee of the Coordinator Science and Technology); Dr. Aminah Qayyum (Director ORIC Nominee) and faculty members of the Department of Botany. MPhil and PhD research scholars also participated in the open-house defenses, contributing to the academic exchange and discussion. At the conclusion of the defenses, the external examiners congratulated both scholars on their successful thesis defenses and appreciated their research efforts and academic contributions. The research conducted by Ms. Mahrukh and Ms. Nayab Zahra addresses significant challenges in sustainable agriculture and environmental stress management, particularly the role of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in enhancing crop performance under drought stress in maize and mitigating lead toxicity in sunflower. The successful conduct of both defenses reflects the Department of Botany???s continued commitment to advancing high-quality doctoral research and promoting innovative research approaches to contemporary agricultural and environmental challenges.