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ICLAB Focus Group 2025
No full textFrom June 18 to 20, 2025, the Career, Development Center (CDC) at IBA Karachi hosted ICLAB Focus Group sessions to align academic programs with evolving industry needs. Across seven thematic areas—Finance, Marketing, Retail, Software Development, Analytics, Entrepreneurship, and the Social Sector—industry experts and faculty discussed skill gaps, curriculum relevance, and workplace readiness. Key recommendations included enhancing communication and technical skills, increasing practical exposure through internships and real-world projects, updating course content to reflect digital trends like AI, ERP, and data analytics, and fostering stronger industry-academia collaboration. The sessions emphasized preparing students not only with knowledge but also the adaptability and mindset to thrive in dynamic professional environments.https://ir.iba.edu.pk/career-development-center-gallery/1085/thumbnail.jp
ICLAB Focus Group 2025
No full textFrom June 18 to 20, 2025, the Career, Development Center (CDC) at IBA Karachi hosted ICLAB Focus Group sessions to align academic programs with evolving industry needs. Across seven thematic areas—Finance, Marketing, Retail, Software Development, Analytics, Entrepreneurship, and the Social Sector—industry experts and faculty discussed skill gaps, curriculum relevance, and workplace readiness. Key recommendations included enhancing communication and technical skills, increasing practical exposure through internships and real-world projects, updating course content to reflect digital trends like AI, ERP, and data analytics, and fostering stronger industry-academia collaboration. The sessions emphasized preparing students not only with knowledge but also the adaptability and mindset to thrive in dynamic professional environments.https://ir.iba.edu.pk/career-development-center-gallery/1089/thumbnail.jp
Maverick Mentorship Program – Spring 2025
No full textIBA CDC successfully held the Maverick Mentorship Program at IBA Karachi, offering track-specific guidance for students in IT, Social Sciences, and Business Studies. Students benefited from personalized CV reviews, career guidance, and industry insights—empowering them to move forward with clarity and confidence.https://ir.iba.edu.pk/career-development-center-gallery/1102/thumbnail.jp
Narrating History and Identity: Women in the Baricho Community of Hunza
No full textUnfair exclusion in a society often leads to social problems, one of which is marginalization. The Baricho (also called Dom) community in Hunza is associated with professions such as music and metalwork. They have faced social and structural exclusion due to traditional caste hierarchies. This research examines how Baricho women remember and express their community’s history and how their narratives challenge dominant portrayals of that history. Although they share the same Ismaili faith as the surrounding population in Hunza, they continue to experience caste-based discrimination. This study focuses on the experiences of Baricho women, who suffer dual marginalization due to their gender and caste. Through oral histories, this thesis explores how the women in Mominabad use storytelling, silence, and memory to reshape their identities and challenge internalized stigma. The research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews and participant observation. Primary data was collected from nine Baricho women selected through purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify recurring themes in their narratives and address the research question. The findings reveal that identity is not static; rather, it is formed through everyday acts of narration, resistance, and cultural practice. These women actively reshape their social standing by claiming skills, recalling royal ancestry, and highlighting their current successes in education and employment. This research contributes to ongoing discussions about caste, gender, and voice in South Asia. It advocates for greater recognition of how oral narratives can serve as tools for empowerment, continuity, and change
Trapped Inside Chaar Dewari: Women’s Use of Gossip as a Survival and Protective Strategy in Patriarchal Pakistan
No full textIn a society where women’s speech is often dismissed as frivolous or malicious and where all women’s talk is broadly labeled as gossip, this thesis examines a different perspective on the value gossip holds for women in patriarchal societies. It specifically explores the question of how gossip functions as a form of survival and protection among women in the patriarchal society of Pakistan.
To explore this question in depth, semi-structured interviews with eight women aged 18–25 were conducted, and thematic analysis was used to understand, through their lived experiences, how women use gossip within trusted female circles. The findings reveal that patriarchal norms in Pakistan, such as izzat, haya, and chaar diwari, not only isolate women physically and emotionally but also create conditions where informal conversations become essential. Gossip was used for emotional release, collective reflection, decision-making, and learning from others, highlighting its survival function. It was also used to share warnings, offer reality checks, and solve immediate problems, with a conscious intent to protect each other, reflecting its protective role.
Together, these aspects show that gossip is not trivial talk but a vital practice through which women survive, protect one another, and build informal safety nets in hostile environments. This thesis contributes to the limited literature on gossip, especially in the region of South Asia, offering a perspective grounded in women’s lived experiences and the patriarchal norms of Pakistani society, while laying the groundwork for future studies on women\u27s use of gossip across different social and digital spaces
Erasing Coastal Knowledge: Climate Change and Indigenous Knowledge Loss in Ibrahim Hyderi’s Fishing Community
No full textThis study examines the interplay of climate change, media representation, and economic instability in eroding the traditional fishing expertise of the coastal population in Ibrahim Hyderi, Karachi. Based on comprehensive interviews with seven male participants from various generations, this research explores both the nature of the loss and the ways in which fishermen experience, reject, or rationalize it. The findings indicate an intricate conflict between traditional knowledge and the demands of modern life—not as a straightforward decline, but as a process shaped by structural marginalization and shifting epistemic values. Experienced fishermen express a feeling of bewilderment as ecological indicators become increasingly unreliable, while younger members engage with the sea through digital tools and innovation, often lacking awareness of the traditional systems they have bypassed. However, this shift is not purely technological; it is also discursive. Media narratives and institutional planning contribute to the epistemicide of local knowledge by framing indigenous expertise as outdated or irrelevant. This study places local perspectives at the forefront of a wider discourse on environmental instability, epistemic injustice, and the future of indigenous knowledge systems
Understanding Mental Health Literacy Among Karachi-Based Healthcare Workers. A Study of Knowledge, Workplace Barriers, and Facilitators.
No full textThe study aims to examine the levels of Mental Health Literacy (MHL) among primary health care professionals in Karachi, excluding those working in the mental health sector. Additionally, it seeks to identify the key barriers and facilitators that impact MHL within the healthcare sector. While limited research on this topic exists in Pakistan, international studies have predominantly relied on quantitative methods to assess MHL levels or systematic reviews of existing literature. To address this gap, my research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining semi-structured interviews with the use of the Mental Health Literacy Scale. This scale is a 35-item clinical self-assessment tool designed to measure knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders, aiding in their recognition, management, and prevention. At the same time, my interviews with healthcare professionals aimed to understand the facilitators or barriers they face in integrating mental health care into their diagnosis and treatment plans. Quantitative data was analyzed using the scoring method provided by the MHL questionnaire while interviews were thematically analyzed. Quantitative results revealed notable variation across MHL domains. Most participants scored high in recognizing mental disorders and identifying risk factors, but showed lower scores in self-treatment knowledge and awareness of professional help, with only one participant reaching the maximum in these areas. Attitudes toward help-seeking ranged from 38 to 63 out of 80, reflecting inconsistent openness toward mental health care. Qualitative findings reinforced these patterns, revealing barriers such as lack of training, emotional burnout, poor referral systems, and rigid clinical hierarchies
Relationship between Transformational Leadership and Employees\u27 Psychological Safety
No full textThis study explored how psychological safety manifests in the workplace and how it is influenced by transformational leadership. Using quantitative survey data from 101 employees—pre-dominantly based in Karachi, Pakistan—the research investigated the relationship between psychological safety and transformational leadership. It also explored whether there is a gender difference in the employees’ perception of transformational leadership and psychological safety. Findings indicate that transformational leadership has a significant positive correlation of 0.734 with psychological safety, which in turn enhances employees’ willingness to speak up and engage in creative problem-solving. Additionally results also indicated that there is no statistically significant gender difference in how employees perceive the role of transformational leadership on influencing their psychological safety. Limitations of the study were related to sample diversity, potential response bias, and uneven engagement in survey participation suggest caution in generalizing findings to the broader Pakistani workforce. Despite these constraints, the study contributed valuable insights into the dynamics of psychological safety in organizational contexts, emphasizing the importance of inclusive leadership and open communication in fostering a supportive work environment. This study highlighted the importance for improving psychological safety via transformational leadership to create work climates that promote innovation and employees’ well-being as various studies suggest that the presence of psychological safety has been associated with improved team learning and innovation, leader inclusivity, and team members’ sense of belonging
Decoding the Premium Beauty Consumers
No full textThis report examines the behaviors, motivations, and price sensitivities of premium beauty consumers in Pakistan, with a focus on uncovering demand drivers and actionable insights for L’Oréal Pakistan. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study decodes how affluent Pakistani beauty buyers decide what “premium” means to them and how it influences their routines and brand choices. Key findings reveal that “premium” beauty is defined less by luxury branding and more by trust, efficacy, and emotional fulfillment: consumers view high-end skincare as both a functional investment in quality and a ritual of self-care and self-expression.
The study focused specifically on consumers of premium makeup and skincare products residing in Karachi, Pakistan. It did not include general beauty categories like haircare or fragrances. Both online and offline behaviors were considered, with research spanning individual interviews, focus groups, and survey responses. While the scope was concentrated geographically and category-wise, recommendations for future expansion are discussed in the final section.
Science-backed efficacy and ingredient safety emerged as paramount, with 73% surveyed consumers prioritizing honest reviews and clinical proof over celebrity endorsements (only 5% sway) . Consumers segment into distinct personas driven by core beliefs from the “Clinical Conscious” who demand evidence-based skincare, to the “Bold Expressivist” who use beauty for creativity, to the “Rational Indulger” who seeks value and results.
Despite a willingness to pay a premium, these consumers exhibit notable price sensitivity. They expect clear value for money and longevity of benefits, and one disappointing product experience can eliminate a brand from consideration. The research highlights critical journey touchpoints and pain points: digital discovery (Instagram, TikTok) sparks interest but validation via reviews and peers is essential before purchase; in-store experiences matter for first-time product trials, while convenient e-commerce options drive repeat purchases.
A fragmented market with grey imports and authenticity concerns means trust and reliability are pivotal. Strategic recommendations for L’Oréal Pakistan include repositioning brand messaging around “empowered rituals” and credibility, enhancing omnichannel integration (seamless online-offline consumer journeys with educational content and personalised guidance), offering trial-size products and “skin-safe” innovations to address trial anxiety, and fostering community engagement through relatable influencers and user-generated reviews.
These insights aim to help L’Oréal better align its product development, marketing, and pricing strategies with the evolving expectations of Pakistan’s premium beauty consumers, ultimately driving sustainable brand loyalty and market growth
Addressing Perception Issues and Influence of Informal Economy
No full textThis report examines the perception issues and the influence of the informal economy on the IPO culture in Pakistan, comparing it with frameworks in China, India, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating literature reviews, comparative analyses, and empirical case studies to identify key barriers and opportunities in Pakistan’s capital market. The findings reveal that Pakistan’s IPO market remains underdeveloped due to structural inefficiencies, regulatory burdens, and deep-rooted perception issues among businesses and investors. A significant challenge is the reluctance of family-owned and closely held firms to go public, driven by fears of ownership dilution, regulatory scrutiny, and the transparency required for listing. This is compounded by the dominance of the informal economy, where businesses operate outside formal regulatory frameworks to avoid taxes and compliance costs. In contrast, countries like China and India have fostered vibrant IPO ecosystems through streamlined regulations, investor education, and targeted support for SMEs. For instance, China’s ChiNext Market and India’s NSE Emerge provide accessible platforms for high-growth and innovative companies, backed by robust governance and liquidity mechanisms. The report highlights the role of regulatory reforms in shaping investor confidence. Pakistan’s GEM Board, designed to support SMEs, faces challenges such as limited liquidity, restrictive investor eligibility, and insufficient government-backed financial incentives. Comparative analyses show that Malaysia’s LEAP Market and Indonesia’s Development Board offer more flexible listing requirements and broader investor participation, which enhance market dynamism. Case studies further underscore the impact of macroeconomic stability and institutional quality on IPO activity, with Pakistan lagging due to political and economic volatility. Policy recommendations include simplifying regulatory processes, introducing tax incentives for listed firms, and expanding financial literacy programs to demystify IPOs for businesses and investors. Additionally, creating dedicated SME platforms with lower entry barriers and stronger governance standards could mirror successful models like India’s BSE SME Exchange. The report concludes that fostering a transparent, inclusive, and investor-friendly IPO environment is critical for Pakistan’s long-term economic growth, requiring concerted efforts from regulators, businesses, and policymakers to bridge existing gaps and align with global best practices. By addressing these challenges, Pakistan can unlock the potential of its capital market, encouraging more firms to go public and attracting diverse investments to drive sustainable development