Interactive sessions: Sukkur IBA concludes conference with culture night

Scholars from across the world took part in two-day international conference

SUKKUR: The two-day International Conference on Business, Economics and Education Management at Sukkur Institute of Business Administration (IBA) was concluded on Friday after interactive discussions on various topics related to entrepreneurship and a culture night.

The second day of the conference, which was attended by experts and scholars from around the world, began with a panel discussion on 'Entrepreneurship Development and Role of Business Schools in Pakistan'. The panelists provided insight into how universities in general and business schools can play a critical role in developing the mindset of entrepreneurs. The panel also discussed how Pakistan can make efforts to achieve promising goals of entrepreneurship through its universities.

Dr Tayyab Shabir, who is a professor of finance and director of the Institute of Entrepreneurship at College of Business and Public Policy at California State University, spoke about entrepreneurship and its role in the transformation of the national economy. He emphasised that universities in Pakistan must give due importance to create an eco-system for entrepreneurship.

Following the panel discussion, another session was held on 'Role of Educational Institutions in Development of Pakistan'. During the session, Quaid-e-Azam Univeristy, Islamabad vice-chancellor Dr Javed Ashraf and Sukkur IBA director Professor Nisar Ahmed Siddiqui shared their views about how universities and high-quality education can help a nation develop.

Siddiqui thanked the participants for taking part in the conference and for coming to Sukkur. He talked about the steps that the institute has taken to impart high-quality education and serve the community. He emphasised that, with collective efforts, we can promote education, help people by creating jobs and help the country develop. The panelists and scholars were presented with shields, traditional ajrak and hats.

A culture night and dinner were hosted to conclude the two-day conference, during which participants were entertained by Sindh folk music. The guests were captivated by the performances during the culture night. Sindhi folk songs were played on traditional 'alghoza' that made the guests dance to its tune. The stage was also decorated with patchwork rallies and ajrak. According to Siddiqui, the culture night was organised with the aim to highlight Sindhi culture.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 18^th, 2016.