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Automation of revenue cycle | Louis Dreyfus Company
No full textThis report presents a summary of the results of the Experiential Learning Project (ELP) completed in partnership with Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) Pakistan, focusing on the automation of the revenue process for enhanced financial performance, efficiency, and transparency. As an industry leader in the agricultural commodity sector in Pakistan, LDC faces operational hurdles due to dependency on manual processes in an already complex functioning supply chain. The project aimed at creating a central Microsoft Excel based automation system to smoothen the key financial processes which include customer database management, contract generation, delivery orders, and most importantly, invoice generation along with final payment reconciliation. The system reduces the possibility of human errors, automates the financial cycle, through application of dynamic data connections, macros, and validation rules. This project eliminates internal process shortcomings and inefficiencies at LDC while also contributing to the major goals of responsible financial reporting, data sensitivity, and innovation in supply chain management
Is Aid Good for the Poor in Sub-Saharan Africa?
No full textWe contribute to the aid-poverty literature in Sub-Saharan Africa in two fundamental respects. First, we sidestep the controversial aid-growth-poverty relationship by analysing the direct impacts of aid on poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa. Second, in line with previous studies, we first analysed the impact of aid on poverty headcount, poverty gap, and poverty gap squared. We complemented this analysis with an analysis of the direct impact of aid on the incomes of the poor, followed by an analysis of aid on inequality. Such an approach allowed us to draw nuanced conclusions about how effective foreign aid is in alleviating not just overall poverty, poverty gap, and poverty severity but also deeper issues related to income disparity among impoverished populations in the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) region. Relying on the system GMM estimator that is robust to endogeneity, results show that both overall aid and multilateral aid have a statistically significant impact on reducing poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, results show that the impact of bilateral aid on the poverty rate, poverty gap, and poverty severity is inconclusive. Results also show that while both overall aid and multilateral aid raise the incomes of the poor and reduce inequality, bilateral aid marginally reduces income disparity but does not increase the incomes of the poor. The policy implication of our findings is that policymakers must adopt a nuanced approach that leverages successful implementation of overall and multi-lateral aid while ensuring targeted interventions directly benefit those living in poverty
Optimizing inventory management for enhanced supply chain efficiency of Gatronova
No full textFor resilient and cost-effective supply chain efficient inventory management is a crucial component. The purpose of this study is to explore the challenges in inventory management and supply chain risks encountered by Gatronova, one of the pioneer company in Pakistan’s polyester and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin industry. Since company’s production highly depend on imported raw materials, specifically Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) and Mono-Ethylene Glycol (MEG), the company faces challenges like fluctuations in lead times, supply disruptions, and inefficiencies in stock management. These barriers not only distort operational continuity but also increase financial risks such as excess holding costs, emergency procurement expenses, and loss of revenue due to delayed production cycles.
The study has identified four major issues leading to inefficiencies in inventory management of Gatronova: Variability in Lead Time – Volatility in supply chain, geopolitical issues, and interruptions in global trade routes (e.g., Strait of Hormuz and Malacca) causing irregular lead times, leading to either stock-outs or excessive inventory holding. Limited Supply Base & Geographic Concentration Risks – Gatronova depends heavily on some specific suppliers concentrated in specific regions, which make it vulnerable to disruptions if any conflict occurs in those areas. No Predictive Analytics in Management of Inventory– The company has conventional push-based inventory systems which fails to optimize procurement planning, eventually becomes reason for reactive decision-making rather than proactive risk mitigation strategies. Risk of Geographical Diversification – Because the company depends on limited trade routes and regional suppliers it increases the risk for exposure to supply chain disruptions caused by geo-political tensions, impacts due to climate change, and logistical barriers. A natural catastrophe or trade constraints in one region could completely halt production process in Gatronova thus highlighting a crucial point that it is essential to expand both supplier networks and trade routes.
To assess and provide solution for these challenges, the study uses historical data analysis, machine learning techniques, and scenario-based simulations to propose a predictive lead time forecasting model. The model is based on previous supply chain data, external macro-economic factors, and real-time tracking metrics to determine accurate lead time predictions for raw material shipments. As well as according to supplier diversification strategy it is also recommended to decrease dependency on limited geographical locations and increase supply chain resilience.
Major findings from this study highlight that data-driven inventory planning, with integrated predictive analytics and diversified procurement strategies significantly minimizes uncertainty in availability of raw material. In addition to this it lowers costs and improves overall supply chain efficiency. The recommended facilitators when implemented are expected to: Decrease lead-time variability by 30-40% by increasing accuracy in demand forecasting. Decrease emergency procurement costs by ensuring adequate safety stock levels. Expand supplier diversification by identifying alternative procurement sites outside of existing high-risk regions. Develop contingency plan and strategies for geo-political risks, to make sure business continuity in case of any trade route disruptions.
In conclusion, to optimize the process by real-time inventory tracking, supplier contract flexibility, and contingency planning for geopolitical disruptions there is a need to data-driven decision-making model, machine learning-based forecasting models, and proactive supplier management that will help in improving overall operational efficiency in a volatile global trade system
Jolyne - Psychiatric Assistant
No full textMental health assessment is often a subjective and time-intensive process that relies heavily on a psychiatrist’s interpretation of patient behavior, speech, and written communication. This project presents a Psychiatric Assistant application designed to support psychiatrists by providing objective, data-driven insights through multimodal emotion recognition. The system integrates three core components: text analytics, computer vision, and audio recognition, enabling the analysis of patient input across written text, facial expressions, and vocal tones. The primary objective of this project is to enhance psychiatric evaluation by classifying emotions with high accuracy and generating automated reports that summarize a patient’s emotional state. Advanced models such as BERT for text, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) for facial analysis, and audio feature extraction techniques for speech recognition were employed to ensure reliable classification. The contribution of this work lies in creating a unified platform that bridges machine learning with clinical utility, offering psychiatrists a tool that reduces bias, improves consistency, and saves time during consultations. By combining multiple modalities, the Psychiatric Assistant delivers a more comprehensive understanding of emotional states, supporting early detection of mental health issues and informed decision-making. This project demonstrates how AI-driven solutions can play a vital role in modern psychiatric care, ultimately aiming to improve patient outcomes and assist professionals in delivering more effective treatment
Career Fair 2025 podcast featuring Mr. Atif Murtaza, Lecturer & Head of CDC.
No full textA special Career Fair 2025 podcast featuring Mr. Atif Murtaza, Lecturer & Head of CDC. He shared insights on the vision behind Career Fair 2025, crucial do’s and don’ts for engaging with recruiters, and provided key strategies to navigate the fair effectively. Don\u27t miss out on these valuable insights
Evaluating the Sustainability Impact of IBA City Campus: A Triple Bottom Line Approach
No full textThis project evaluates the overall sustainability impact of IBA City Campus using the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework. It examines key environmental, economic, and social factors, with a focus on energy consumption, HVAC operations, commuting patterns, cost efficiency, and social well-being. The total carbon footprint is estimated at 1,967.26 metric tons of CO₂ annually, primarily driven by grid electricity (65%), HVAC systems (11%), and transportation (17%). The study also explores planned solar energy projects that could reduce grid reliance by up to 40%. Based on institutional data and stakeholder insights, the project presents actionable strategies to enhance IBA’s sustainability performance, operational efficiency, and long-term resilience
An era of financial transformation
No full textPakistan’s digital financial sector is experiencing rapid growth, with the State Bank of Pakistan’s March 2025 report highlighting a record 2.4 billion retail transactions worth Rs164 trillion in Q1 2025. Mobile and internet banking are driving adoption, with mobile apps processing 1.7 billion transactions worth Rs27 trillion. SBP’s Raast Instant Payment System has become a key driver, particularly in P2P transfers (368m transactions worth Rs8tr) and expanding P2M services (700,000+ merchants onboarded). E-commerce and QR-based merchant digitisation also surged, reflecting grassroots acceptance of digital finance. Despite strong momentum, challenges remain, including digital literacy gaps, patchy internet access, cybersecurity risks, and limited Shariah-compliant offerings. The author suggests Pakistan could strengthen financial inclusion by adopting models like India’s UPI and Nigeria’s NIBSS, coupled with policy support, private-sector collaboration, and awareness campaigns, to establish itself as a South Asian leader in digital finance
IBA\u27s CBER, UNICEF, DUHS jointly organised seminar on World Breastfeeding Week
No full textIBA’s Centre for Business and Economic Research (CBER), UNICEF, and DUHS jointly organized a seminar to mark World Breastfeeding Week 2025 in Karachi. The event gathered policymakers, healthcare professionals, academics, and civil society to stress strengthening breastfeeding practices in Pakistan. Dr. Lubna Naz welcomed participants, while Ms. Nida Khuhro (MPA, Sindh) highlighted government initiatives promoting breastfeeding laws. Speakers emphasized breastfeeding as essential for child survival, maternal health, and economic sustainability. A panel discussion featuring experts from DUHS, Aga Khan University, civil society, and Sindh’s nutrition department concluded the seminar
Digital Leadership and Literacy as Strategic Levers for Employee Outcomes in Pakistan\u27s Telecommunication Sector
No full textDigitalizing operations is essential for gaining and maintaining competitive advantage, driving product and process innovations, and ensuring effective decision-making. The performance and engagement of today’s workforce are also contingent upon its capability to handle digital technologies. Here, the digital prowess of the leaders plays a cardinal role in the digitalization process. Keeping this in mind, this research aims to determine the impact of digital leadership on employees’ digital literacy, and their subsequent effect on key employee outcomes like engagement and performance in the telecom sector of Pakistan. Data was collected from 369 telecom workers employed at the three major Pakistani telecom companies. Quantitative analysis via structural equation modelling revealed that digital leadership plays a conducive role in building employees’ digital literacy skills, thereby improving their engagement and performance at work. The research underscores the pertinence of digitalization for the modern workforce and reiterates the urgency of digitalization initiatives for businesses
Managing brand boycotts: The case of KFC Pakistan during the Israel–Palestine conflict
No full textIn an increasingly interconnected world, multinational corporations are vulnerable to brand boycotts triggered by geopolitical, cultural, or ideological events. This study examines the case of KFC Pakistan during the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, where consumer activism, amplified by digital platforms, significantly impacted brand perception, sales trajectory, and stakeholder sentiment. Despite being operated by a local franchisee with deep CSR engagement, KFC Pakistan remained exposed to reputational risks due to its association with a U.S.-based parent company.
The research adopts a qualitative methodology grounded in secondary data, proprietary insights, and sentiment analysis to investigate the triggers, dynamics, and outcomes of boycott movements. The study integrates established theoretical models - Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT), Stakeholder Theory, Aaker’s Brand Equity framework, and Al Shebil’s Boycott Response Framework - augmented with generational sensitivity and real-time escalation monitoring. Findings highlight that boycott movements are driven less by factual ownership structures and more by perceptions of political solidarity and moral responsibility, particularly among Gen Z, Millennials, and women consumers.
The project contributes a Boycott Crisis Management Framework tailored for culturally sensitive markets, enabling brands to diagnose crises, assess exposure, and deploy adaptive strategies across action, audience, and escalation layers. Practical recommendations for KFC Pakistan emphasize localization of narrative (“95% Local, 100% Pakistani”), integrated marketing communication, and community-centered advocacy to restore consumer trust.
This study not only addresses the immediate challenge for KFC Pakistan but also offers a scalable model for multinational brands navigating reputational risks in volatile socio-political environments