Business graduates: ‘You are architects of your own careers’

954 students awarded degrees at IoBM convocation

KARACHI: The Institute of Business Management (IoBM) conferred degrees on 954 students at its convocation on Saturday. Speaking at the event, Higher Education Commission chairperson Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmed emphasised universities' objectives of imparting education, grooming personalities and providing career-focused training.

Education minister Jam Mehtab Hussain Dahar appreciated IoBM's success during the last two decades and its emergence as a centre of excellence in higher education. He assured that the government of Sindh would extend all possible cooperation to the institute to make its presence felt at both the national and global levels.

In his keynote address, Habib Metropolitan Bank president and chief executive officer Sirajuddin Aziz termed the graduates as 'architects of their own lives and careers' and said they need integrity, honesty and impartiality to succeed. "It is important to impose self-discipline and self-regulation and, through clarity of thought, the graduates can reach their personal and professional objectives," he added.

In his presidential address, Talib Karim spoke about IoBM's use of experiential learning initiatives in grooming students' management skills.  He also highlighted IoBM's state-of-the-art infrastructural expansion at the institute's main campus.

IoBM chancellor Najmuddin Shaikh spoke of the intensive and demanding nature of comprehensive and contemporary courses offered at IoBM, which facilitate its graduates in developing management and communication skills to excel in the corporate sector.

Meanwhile, valedictorian Kashmala Riaz attributed the support of parents, faculty and management, besides the students' own perseverance, dedication and commitment, as a reason for their academic success.

Eleven students were awarded gold medals, while certificates of merit were awarded to 27 students. Gold medalist from the MBA of industrial management programme Muhammad Kashif Amin was joyous to receive his award. Another gold medalist, Merym Saudagar, who completed her BS in media studies, was excited to embark on her professional life. "I have secured a 3.55 CGPA since my first semester," she said, adding that she is working as freelancer and will continue her career in film production.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11^th, 2016.