Commencement ceremony: 38 business leaders of tomorrow graduate from KSBL

KARACHI:

The 38 students that graduated from the Karachi School for Business and Leadership (KSBL) on Friday vowed to turn the tides of the existing business structure that is devoid of ethical, humanistic and people-oriented approach.

The newly established business school at its state-of-the-art campus celebrated the inaugural commencement and has set a new milestone in the history of advanced business management education that began with the founding of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) in 1955.

Wearing royal blue convocation robes with orange frills, the graduating students walked in the academic procession amid enthusiastic cheers by their parents and family members. High hopes were attached with the graduates who decided to get themselves enrolled in the business school's rigorous MBA programme that was launched in collaboration with Cambridge University's Judge Business School around two years ago.

"We will vie for a form of management that looks at the business organisations from a bigger perspective than just profit-making entities," said Asad Abdul Muhammad, who secured first position and received the Hussain Dawood gold medal, in his valedictorian speech. "The form of management that looks at people as partners and not merely resources and where businesses are nurtured to not only benefit the investors but the society as a whole."

Along with Muhamamd, Subia Faruqi secured the second position and received Abdul Razzak Tabba silver medal while Muddasir Soomro stood proud at third.

The parents were overjoyed seeing their progeny's hard work coming to fruition. "I am excited to see my son receive his Master's degree. The credit goes to the KSBL scholarship policy," said Abdul Sami Memon, the father of a graduating student. "Without financial assistance, this degree would not have been possible. I have very high hopes for his future."

"Today our inaugural class completes one of the most important chapters of their lives and are transitioning to a life-long journey of leadership through service," said Hussain Dawood, chairperson of the KSBL board of governors. "We are pleased to offer our country the very first class of future leaders equipped with entrepreneurial energy and innovative thinking."

KSBL dean Dr Shaukat Brah asserted that the school has prepared these young adults to have rewarding and fulfilling careers, embarking on a journey of constant personal growth. "I am certain they will utilise their learning in the most effective way possible to give back to the society," he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2014.