The IBA is the oldest business school outside North America. It has produced nearly 7,800 graduates to-date, each one an outstanding professional. The IBA graduates have worked and matched in performance with the graduates of the most renowned business schools of the world; that is why the IBA is the school of choice for most young men and women interested in careers and leadership in business. Last year we did admit more students than at any time in IBA history but still we are aware that we had to let go many talented applicants. Although the number of Ph.D teachers and the overall strength of the faculty have grown by over 100 percent in less than 5 years the expansion in student enrolment cannot take place until the faculty of high calibre and competence is doubled for the present levels. We are constantly advertising for talented faculty and have attracted nine faculty members from Germany, USA, Japan and Sri Lanka. But we still need more.
The IBA students are continuously giving evidence of being world class. During the past year, four students of IBA participated in the “Battle of Minds” organised by Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC) wherein highly talented students of top Pakistani Universities competed against one another. The IBA students obtained the second position for presenting a live research project in the Grand Slam. They were awarded trophies along with a cheque of Rs. 200,000/-. In another competition namely “Novartis Biocamp”, a team of two IBA students, competing with those of leading institutions of Pakistan, was sent to Tokyo, Japan in October. The IBA system of merit, truth, diligence, tolerance and humility has established a culture in which outstanding young men and women and outstanding teachers create a community dedicated to quality, innovation and challenge. The IBA standards demonstratively are the highest in Pakistan. Every graduate truly earns his degree. In order to maintain and strengthen our values of merit, truth and diligence we do not ignore any case of transgression. The evils of plagiarism are being discussed seriously in higher educational institutions around the world. We have a “no tolerance” policy and punish student or faculty who pass off somebody else’s work as their own. The IBA continues to discourage cheating by imposing deterrent punishment on students who try to take unfair advantage against other students and against IBA’s own standards. The IBA ensures that no student is deprived of education at the IBA because of financial constraints. Specially low fees are offered to nearly half of the best candidates who join the IBA. Besides this, a number of scholarships are available. The IBA also arranges loans which the students can repay in instalments after completion of their degrees. Every student has to meet high demands of work and standards every day. Many of the most attractive employers have told us that they cannot have enough IBA graduates for their organizations. The plans for establishment of Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence are underway. The IBA has linkages with outstanding business schools in South Asia as well as Europe and the US.
The IBA was the first business school in Pakistan to sign strategic collaboration agreement with Microsoft. The IBA offers courses and programs which are relevant to the needs of the market; its programs are widely adopted by other schools. The IBA’s MBA is the best established brand in business education. Now its Computer Science program is also recognized for its creative, functional design and high quality. The IBA has also launched a Ph.D program in MIS, Computer Science & Engineering, and Information & Communication Technologies. The market has received the young BBA graduates with enthusiasm. It has been proved that the 4 year undergraduate degree program can be and will be established as a terminal degree for employment purposes in Pakistan as it is in the United States. Our MBA programs have been reviewed and restructured both in terms of subjects and course contents. Our MBA (Evening Program) curriculum has been brought in line with the day time programs. Not only the standard of education of Evening Program is in line with our Morning Programs but its curriculum and its delivery are also in line with our Morning Programs. We are planning to offer additional languages as options to our students. We have started to publish a six monthly refereed journal; the third issue of our BUSINESS REVIEW is already available.
Our faculty and students are doing research and writing professional papers in increasingly larger numbers. In unprecedented number our faculty members are attending professional conferences around the world; such conferences are useful for networking and keeping our faculty informed about the latest developments in the areas of business education. The IBA looks forward to continue to change, adapt, and be among the best business schools in the world, always producing leadership and ideas for tomorrow. We are excited at the opportunity and challenges for business and business education. We are eager to welcome a new batch of the brighter, confident, young men and women who are eager to work in an environment of merit, to think for themselves, to innovate, to change, to lead, work hard and succeed.
