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IBA Karachi Organized the Curtain Raiser of its Executive MBA Program- Learn to Build a Sustainable World
No full textIBA Karachi hosted a curtain-raiser event for its restructured Executive MBA (EMBA) program, emphasizing leadership and sustainability. Executive Director Dr. S Akbar Zaidi highlighted IBA’s expansion beyond business education. Dean Dr. Abdullah Zafar Sheikh introduced the program’s block teaching model, allowing global faculty participation. Faculty members, including Dr. Muhammad Shafique and Dr. Azam Ali, discussed its impact on business leadership. Alumni shared insights on the evolving business landscape. The program, designed for executives in both private and public sectors, is now accepting applications for Fall 2025
Repair and Maintenance Model of The Citizens Foundation (TCF) Schools in Pakistan
No full textTCF has more than 900 flagship school campus buildings across the Pakistan. The network is growing exponentially, with ever-growing need of school in the country and the emergence of bring out-of-children to the fold of education. With the growing number of schools built over the last 3 decades in different part of the country and keeping view the significant role of infrastructural condition to the learning experience of students, it is essential to have a robust on-going maintenance program/model for donor funded schools.
It is also imperative to mention that during fiscal year 2022-23, TCF spent a total of 0.95 Billion on repair and maintenance of schools (including 0.62 Billion for regular maintenance works and 0.33 Billion for rehabilitation of flood affected schools). This is 8.5% of the total operational expenditure of 11.24 Billion and 9.5 % of the entire program cost of 10.05 Billion
Despite of considerable maintenance expenditure (maintenance drives) in the past years, maintenance requirement of schools is yet to attain an assumed state of stability. A need is to devise a criterion standard and justification gauge to calculate/propose future maintenance budgets.
Below are the research objectives of the research; To study the in-placed maintenance model for TCF schools and analyzing weak areas, problems, misalignment/gap between top management and maintenance team. To explore and define significant variables to propose improved cost justification model and planning strategy of maintenance works. Also, explore relevancy of Total Cost of Ownership. To remap the process using IDEF° method (Input, Output, Control & Mechanism). To study and relate with different international standards and recommendations dealing with similar facility management issues. Propose solutions in the light of literature review and similar practical examples
Investigating the Factors Influencing the Rejection of Cognitive Performance Tests in the Banking sector of Pakistan.
No full textThis study explored the barriers hindering the adoption of cognitive performance tests in HR practices within Pakistan’s banking sector and developed practical recommendations for enhancing their implementation. A qualitative approach was adopted, and 16 semi-structured interviews were conducted with HR professionals from major banks in large cities. It aims to explore potential barriers to using and incorporating cognitive ability tests in selection practices. The data was later interpreted, and the findings highlighted five key themes. The results revealed factors influencing the rejection of cognitive performance tests in Pakistan\u27s banking sector. It includes cultural factors such as senior management resistance and emphasis on conventional HRM practices. The interviewed HR professionals highlighted the absence of structures and policies to implement cognitive testing in the selection process. Data protection problems, liabilities and concerns about how the test results would be used were also behind the reluctance. The study identifies awareness and education on using cognitive testing as an area that deserves more attention and has to be developed. The banking sector in Pakistan may benefit from using cognitive testing for selection and performance improvement
IBA Executive Director, Dr. S Akbar Zaidi, appearance on Express News Morning Show
No full textIn this insightful conversation, Dr. Zaidi reflects on IBA’s 70-year legacy of academic leadership, the prestigious AACSB Accreditation, and the IBA\u27s unwavering mission to deliver world-class education rooted in integrity, impact, and inclusion. He underscores how IBA stands apart by offering rigorous academic programs with a significantly lower fee structure than other leading business schools while empowering deserving students through a robust financial assistance framework. The interview reaffirms IBA’s commitment to shaping future leaders — without compromising access or excellence
RecruitWise - AI Recruitment Engine
No full textTraditional Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) often rely on static resume data, potentially overlooking nuanced candidate capabilities. RecruitWise addresses this limitation by introducing a dynamic, AI- powered recruitment engine designed to augment ATS functionalities with interactive, conversational interviews and robust proctoring. The primary objective is to provide a more insightful, efficient, and fair candidate screening experience. Employing an Agile methodology, RecruitWise integrates several key components: an advanced resume pre-screener that combines semantic similarity with a custom-trained resume format detection model for initial filtering; a conversational AI interviewer (leveraging LLAMA3.3 via Groq Cloud with Retrieval Augmented Generation using candidate resumes for context, and Text-to-Speech/Speech-to- Text capabilities powered by ElevenLabs); a multi-modal cheating detection system analyzing webcam footage (YOLOv8 for object detection, MediaPipe for gaze tracking) and browser activity for interview integrity; and an AI-driven scoring mechanism to evaluate interview transcripts against job-specific skills. The system is designed to conduct personalized interviews, process candidate responses in real-time, identify potential academic integrity violations, and provide structured candidate evaluations, thereby offering a significant enhancement to conventional recruitment workflows
Blind Navigation System
No full textThis report presents the design and development of a smartphone-based navigation system aimed at assisting blind users in independently traversing the IBA University campus. The system integrates two core modules: (1) a Navigation Module that provides turn-by-turn guidance using OpenStreetMap (OSM) data and GPS positioning, and (2) an Obstacle Detection Module powered by a lightweight YOLOv8n model running on-device via TensorFlow Lite to detect hazards such as pedestrians, vehicles, and bicycles. Real-time audio feedback is provided through Google Text-to-Speech, enabling users to receive navigation instructions and obstacle alerts without relying on external hardware. The Android application was evaluated through simulated campus scenarios, focusing on usability, alert accuracy, and responsiveness. Results from these simulations indicate that the system can effectively guide users and provide timely obstacle warnings in a typical campus environment. Future improvements include real-world testing with blind individuals, enhanced obstacle detection, and the integration of indoor navigation support
Transforming Immunization
No full textChild immunization is widely acknowledged as one of the most successful and cost-effective investments in public health. Studies estimate that every dollar invested in child immunization yields a return of approximately US $44. Recognizing the significance of early child health in shaping later life outcomes, international organizations such as the WHO and UNICEF continuously collaborate with developing countries to achieve universal immunization. This chapter sheds light on the progress of immunization in Pakistan. It draws on both aggregate data (1980–2021) and household surveys (post-2006) regarding routine immunization and polio vaccination, aiming to analyse immunization coverage not only over time but also across regions, gender, and doses. The findings indicate that immunization coverage for all vaccines was notably higher (around 85%) pre-2008, attributed to better security situations. Contrary to common belief, the gender gap in immunization has narrowed over time. However, compliance with multiple doses shows lower rates in subsequent follow-up doses. Lastly, the province of Baluchistan exhibits the lowest immunization rates for all vaccinations, approximately 25 percentage points lower than Punjab
Career counselling: questions and answers
No full textThis Q&A column by Syed Azhar Husnain Abidi addresses career concerns of students across various academic disciplines. A pre-medical student is guided on the career scope and top universities for Medicine and Dentistry in Pakistan and abroad. A BBA graduate is advised on pursuing a Master’s in International Business, highlighting top institutions and global opportunities. An A-level student is assisted in choosing between Game Development and Software Development based on interest and market demand. Finally, an Environmental Science graduate is counseled on selecting between Environmental Engineering and Environmental Policy, each offering promising yet distinct career trajectories. The expert emphasizes aligning academic choices with individual interests, career goals, and global trends for optimal professional success
There\u27s no better education than being in jail, says ex PM
No full textAt an engaging IBA Karachi session titled “Nazuk Mor or New Directions,” former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi spoke candidly about leadership, politics, and governance in Pakistan. Reflecting on his time in office and imprisonment, he remarked that jail offers unmatched education and reflection — something he believes Imran Khan is now experiencing.
Abbasi acknowledged Imran Khan’s popular support, attributing it to the failure of others, but also criticized the moral decline during Khan’s tenure. He expressed concern over Karachi’s declining state, especially the lack of water in Baldia Town, despite PPP’s long-standing rule. Highlighting Pakistan’s democratic deficiencies, he stressed that repeated free and fair elections are key to improving governance.
He emphasized the need for moral authority and intellectual capacity in political leadership to effectively engage with the establishment, arguing that politics is about service, not power. Abbasi also called for reforms, including new provinces and honest national conversations on critical issues like water scarcity
From Belief to Buy: Analyzing Halal Cosmetic Purchase Intentions among Pakistani Women
No full textThis study examines the key factors that influence the purchase intention of halal cosmetics among consumers in Pakistan, with a particular focus on Muslim women. Utilizing a quantitative approach, data were collected from 200 respondents and analyzed using SPSS and SmartPLS software to investigate the roles of subjective norms, religious beliefs, halal brand image, and knowledge about halal cosmetics. Results indicate that both subjective norms and religious beliefs significantly impact consumers’ intention to purchase halal cosmetics, underscoring the powerful influence of cultural and religious values in shaping consumer behavior. Although the direct effects of halal brand image and halal product knowledge were not statistically significant, knowledge exhibited an indirect effect on purchase intention through a positive influence on consumer attitudes. These findings suggest that promoting halal awareness and aligning marketing strategies with religious and community values can strengthen consumer engagement in this niche yet growing segment. The study provides actionable insights for marketers, policymakers, and halal product developers aiming to better cater to the needs of faith-driven consumers. Future research should consider qualitative and cross-cultural studies to expand understanding of global halal beauty trends