South Asia: Pakistan

Abedullah joined the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) as economist, livestock value chain specialist on 28 April 2014. Abedullah has over the past 15 years been intensively involved in research and teaching activities. Prior to joining ILRI, he was working as an assistant professor in the Institute of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Pakistan. During his tenure with the University, he was awarded several national and international research grants. His research specifically focuses on impact evaluation of different production technologies in the agriculture sector and its related management aspects, value chain analysis, technical, allocative and environmental efficiencies and valuation of non-marketable goods. He holds a PhD and masters degree in agricultural economics from the University of Philippines at Los Baños.

Zeeshan Mustafa joined ILRI as livestock economist on 23 May 2014. Mustafa holds a MPhil in environmental economics from Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Islamabad and a BSc in agricultural and resource economics from University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Previously, he has worked for diverse national and international policy and research institutions. Mustafa has expertise in climate change, environmental impact assessment, cost benefit analysis of dairy animals, socio-economic analysis and different econometric techniques.

Ijaz Khan was joined ILRI as project administrator for the Agricultural Innovation Program –livestock component in Pakistan, effective 6 May 2014. Khan holds degrees in commerce (management) from Quaid-e-Azam University and business administration from KPK, Pakistan. He has over 25 years of post–graduate professional experience in office administration, financial management, procurement and logistics, human resources and training and mentoring from different international and local organizations within and outside Pakistan. Prior to this appointment, Khan worked in Juba, South Sudan as administration and finance manager where he facilitated financial management and budgeting training to government officers in Bor State, South Sudan.

Kamran Riaz has been appointed accounts manager in the Agricultural Innovation Program – livestock component in Pakistan with effect from 19 May 2014. Riaz holds a masters degree in finance from Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan and a diploma in commerce from Board of Technical Education Peshawar, Pakistan. He has extensive experience working in different districts of Pakistan for NGOs, INGOs and audit/chartered accountant firms. He has expertise in budgeting, budget variance analysis, donor reporting, management reporting, cash management, bank management and cash flow.

Aftab Ahmad was appointed as research associate dairy sciences on 21 may 2014. He holds degrees in veterinary medicine and in animal nutrition (MSc). He previously worked as field coordinator in an artificial insemination training project under the capacity building and training services component in Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development Board and a manager in a community development in silage-making project. Ahmad has also worked as deputy team leader in Punjab Economic Opportunities Program (PEOP) funded by DFID/Government of Punjab contributed to the establishment of an extension system in Pakistan’s Brooke’s hospital for animals. He brings in 14 years’ experience in the dairy development sector including in capacity building of dairy farmers, establishment of farmers organizations, baseline surveys and mapping of target areas, needs assessments, developing extension materials and monitoring and evaluation of field activities.

East and Southeast Asia: Vietnam
Thinh Nguyen joined ILRI-Vietnam as research assistant on 1 October 2014. She will contribute to Humidtropics CRP. Nguyen brings in a wealth of work experience gained in the field of agriculture and rural development. She has previously worked as a researcher in the Center for Agricultural Policy under the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development based in Vietnam and as an economist at Mekong Economics Ltd. Nguyen has been involved in a wide variety of research and development projects funded by domestic and international organizations such as Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, ILRI, World Bank and Australian Government. She holds an MSc in food and agricultural policies from Kyushu University, Japan and a bachelor’s degree of engineering in silviculture from Vietnam Forestry University.