HISTORY & TIMELINE

It was in 1955 the Institute of Public and Business Administration (IPBA) was established, making it one of the oldest business school outside North America. Initial technical support was provided by the world famous Wharton School of Finance, University of Pennsylvania. Soon after the University of Southern California set up various facilities at the Institute and several prominent American professors were assigned to the IBA. The course contents, the curriculum, the pedagogical tools and the assessment and testing methods were developed under the guidance of reputed scholars from these two institutions. IBA has zealously guarded the high standards and academic traditions it had inherited from Wharton and USC while adapting and adjusting them with the passage of time.

In 1956 a two-year MBA morning program commenced as a constituent unit of the University of Karachi. Faculty was hired in the department of Public and Business Administration, in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania and assisted by United States International Corporation Administration, now USAID. In 1957, a two-year MBA evening program was launched to cater to the needs of numerous working executives and managers who were interested in furthering their careers through part-time business studies.

It was in 1965 the faculty of IBA, Dhaka University and Kelley School of Business jointly developed the two-year MBA program for former East Pakistan. The first computer course, Electronic Data Processing was offered in 1966.

After the complete construction of the Institute's two campuses, morning and evening classes commenced at the main campus in 1965, and at the city campus in 1967. In 1968 a two-year BBA program was introduced, followed by the launch of a three-year BBA (Hons.) program in 1982, which has now been upgraded to a four-year BBA program.

The Faculty of Computer Science was originally established as the Center for Computer Studies in 1983 with the collaboration of IBM, Pakistan. It initially offered a PGD in System Analysis along with a two-year MBA (MIS) program to overcome a shortage of software professionals in the country. It now offers BS (Computer Science), MS (Computer Science), and PhD programs. It was in 1989 the PGD (System Analysis) program was upgraded to a two-year MBA (MIS) program.

At the start of a new decade, a two-year MBA (Banking) program was launched in collaboration with ANZ-Grindlays Bank. In 1993, two programs, a two-year MBA Executive and a three-year BBA Executive were started at the city campus.

Till 1994, the University of Karachi awarded degrees to the graduates. In that year, the Sindh Assembly elevated the Institute's status to that of a degree-awarding institution.

In 1997, a three-year BBA (MIS) honors program was announced to cater to the increasing role of information technology in business. The MIS program was renamed to Management Information System and Sciences program in recognition of the fact that it covers both Information Systems and Computer Sciences.

The PGD (Computer Science) evening program was offered to part-time students in 1998. In the same year, a three-year Bachelors in Computer Science (BCS) honors program was announced, along with a three-year BBA (MIS) program, and a three-year BS (Computer Science) program.

At the start of the 21st century, in 2002, all undergraduate programs were upgraded to four-year degree programs. In the same year, Centre for Executive Education (CEE) was established.

In 2004 the National Talent Hunt (NTHP) program was launched. In 2005 PhD's in CSE, MIS and ICT were offered.

In 2008, a two-year MS in Computer Science, Information technology and Software Engineering were offered along with a BS in Software Engineering and Information Technology. In the same year the four-year BCS degree title was renamed to BS Computer Science.

In 2009, IBA introduced its first weekend Executive MBA Program (EMBA) of 2.5 years, focusing on the needs of the mid-career professionals, serving in the Corporate Sector, Banks and Government departments. The curriculum, methodology and course material have been developed in consultation with industry experts and lead resource persons. The Center for Computer Studies was renamed to Center for CS and MIS. In the same year, two MoU's were signed: a 10-year MoU was signed with Babson College, USA for setting up the IBA Center for Entrepreneurial Development (CED); and another with the CFA Institute.

The Center for CS and MIS was renamed to Faculty of Computer Science in 2010. M.S. (Economics) program was introduced, along with the Dean's List and Best Final Year Project awards. The use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) was also implemented in the same year.

The MBA curriculum was revamped in 2011, with the new program of study requiring a minimum of two years of relevant work experience. PhD (Economics) was launched in the course of that year. The IBA was awarded South Asia Quality Assurance Systems (SAQS) accreditation by AMDISA. The Departments of Mathematical Sciences, and Social Sciences and Liberal Arts were established marking the Institute to be more than a business school. During the same year, the IBA received membership of the European Foundation for Management Development.

In 2012 the Learning Management System (LMS) was put into effect. A number of undergrad, grad post grad programs were launched, including a four-year BS Economics and Mathematics program, MS Mathematics, PhD Mathematics and MS programs leading to PhD. The Institute signed MoUs with the University of Malaya; the Indian School of Business (ISB), to promote executive education in Pakistan; and with the SP Jain Institute of Management and Research.

The IBA was registered as an education provider of the Project Management Institute (PMI), USA. It was in 2012 the Institute's alumni crossed the 10,000 graduates mark.

The Institute offered four-year undergraduate programs in the Department of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, and in the Department of Accounting and Finance. To facilitate student and faculty exchanges along with research collaborations, the IBA International Resource Center (IRC) was established. The Social Sciences and Liberal Arts Department set up the Ardeshir Cowasjee Center for Writing for students to explore creative avenues through prose. MoU's for the BS Accounting and Finance Program were signed with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) and the Institute of Bankers Pakistan (IBP).

In 2014 Centre for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ-IBA) was established through an agreement between the IBA and the US State department. CEJ is a collaboration between the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), and the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. In the same year, PhD in Computer Science was offered. Two more MoUs were signed for the BS Accounting and Finance Program with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

The Centre for Excellence in Islamic Finance (CEIF) was established in 2015 at the Aman Tower, city campus with the objective of providing a platform for discovery, enhancement and dissemination of knowledge in the field of Islamic Finance. It aims to be a world class Centre which, through education and research, carries on IBA's legacy of thought leadership in the Islamic Finance industry. PGD in Supply Chain Management, Human Resource Management and Healthcare Management was also introduced during the year.

In 2016 an MoU was signed with the International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF), Malaysia for cooperation with the IBA CEIF followed by the launch of a two-year MS in Islamic Banking and Finance program offered by the Center in 2017.

2018 saw a one-of-its-kind portal introduced by the Institute, the IBA Job Portal which was conceived and designed in-house by the ICT department in collaboration with the Career Development Center and the Alumni Department. This portal enables alumni and students to create their profiles and find jobs/internships, while employers can post vacancies and search profiles for hiring purposes. The job portal will be the most effective tool in streamlining the placement procedure and building a network of students, alumni and employers.

The CEJ-IBA introduced the MS Journalism program in 2018. The same year saw the launch of BS Economics, along with an approval of the MS Management program by the Higher Education Commission.

2020

  • MS Data Science was introduced by the Department of Computer Science
  • MS Finance was launched by the Department of Finance
  • Establishment of 3 schools namely, the School of Business Studies, the School of Economics and Social Sciences, and the School of Mathematics and Computer Science w.e.f. January 1, 2021

2019

  • Extensive work has been carried out by planting 2000 fruit trees in the premises of the Institute for a sustainable environment at the IBA
  • MS Management was launched and its first batch was inducted
  • A neuromarketing biometric lab was established at the main campus

2018

  • Martin Dow clinic was inaugurated at the main campus
  • Launch of the IBA Job Portal
  • CEJ-IBA introduced MS Journalism program
  • BS in Economics was introduced
  • Approval of MS (Management) program by HEC

2017

  • Landscaping & horticulture work at both campuses
  • A System has been implemented at both campuses for ERT Concepts, Rescue , Survival and Fire Emergency
  • Construction of Martin Dow Clinic at the Main Campus
  • Construction of Main Gate at Main Campus
  • Established UBL Digital Branch at City Campus
  • Complete renovation of CCL 1 Lab at City Campus

2016

  • 14 storey Aman Tower building inaugurated
  • Centre for Excellence in Journalism established in collaboration with Medill School
  • Centre for Excellence in Islamic Finance established in Aman Tower
  • Inauguration of OBS Courtyard
  • Center for Information & Communication Technology is established.

2015

  • Post-Graduate Diploma (One year weekend programs) launched in Supply Chain Management, Human Resource Management and Healthcare Management.
  • Upgrading and Renovation works of Fauji Foundation Building completed at the Main Campus
  • Upgrading and renovation works of Mian Abdullah Library entered final stages of completion at the Main Campus
  • 14-Story Aman Tower Building entered final stages of completion at the City Campus
  • Work commenced on the construction of a 250 beds Block - B of the New Boys Hostel
  • Overall covered area of building and structures at the IBA premises crossed the 750,000 sq.ft mark

2014

  • IBA Alumnus Mr. Mamnoon Hussain was sworn in as the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
  • Iba Karachi's Center for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) qualified as a finalist in the USASBE (United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship) Excellence in Entrepreneurship Education Awards for the category of Outstanding Emerging Entrepreneurship Program Abroad.
  • IBA Alumnus Taha Siddiqui wins Albert Londres Prize as the 'France's Pulitzer' in Paris for producing best audiovisual documentary on the polia war.
  • MoU Signing
  • Charted Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
  • Institute of Bankers Pakistan (IBP)
  • International Commission on Work Force Development (ICWFD)
  • Virtual University (VU)
  • Bank of Tokyo
  • Madinah Institute for Leadership & Entrepreneur MILE)

2013

  • 4 year-Undergraduate Program launched in (Social Science & Liberal Arts)
  • 4 year-Undergraduate Program launched in (Accounting & Finance)
  • Tier III Compliant Data Center inaugurated at City Campus

2012

  • BS (Economics & Mathematics) Program launched
  • Personal Effectiveness course introduced
  • New streams (18 & 24 months) introduced in the MBA Program
  • MS (leading to PhDProgram in Economics &Math) launched
  • Alumni crossed 10,000 graduates mark
  • Overseas Chapters of IBA Alumni launched in UAE, UK, & Canada
  • IBA Registered as Education provider of Project Management Institute

2011

  • South Asia Quality Assurance Systems (SAQS) accreditation received
  • First student acquires PhD degree from IBA
  • Student exchange & study Programs with foreign universities commenced
  • IBA received membership of European foundation for Management Development
  • PhD (Economics) Program launched
  • Center for Business and Economics Research established
  • MBA curriculum revamped including requirement for 2 years work experience
  • Structured Mentoring and Student Development Programs started
  • BBA curriculum revamped after audit and focus group feedback
  • BBA Entrepreneurship Program initiated
  • Responsible Citizen Initiative Program introduced

2010

  • Dean's list and best final year project awards introduced
  • MS (Economics) Program introduced
  • IBA Corporate Leaders Advisory Board formed

2009

  • Center for Entrepreneurship Development established
  • Twenty Nine Student Societies for extracurricular activities established
  • Executive MBA Program launched
  • STHP (Sindh Talent Hunt) Program launched

2008

  • MS (Computer Science) Program launched

2005

  • PhD (Computer Science) Program launched

2004

  • NTHP (National Talent Hunt) Program launched

2002

  • 4 Year Undergraduate Program launched (in Business Administration) & (in Computer Science)
  • Center for Executive Education established

1999

  • BS (Computer Science) Program launched

1998

  • BBA (MIS) Program introduced

1994

  • Received Charter and Degree Awarding Status

1993

  • BBA and MBA Executive Programs (self-financed) started at City campus

1990

  • MBA (Banking) Program introduced in collaboration with ANZ – Grindlays Bank.

1987

  • IBA declared as Center of Excellence by US Government through USAID

1983

  • MBA (MIS) Program launched.
  • Center of Computer Studies established in collaboration with IBM, Pakistan

1982

  • 3 Year BBA (Hons) Program launched

1967

  • Construction completed; morning and evening classes commenced at Main (1965) & City (1967) Campuses respectively

1961

  • Shifted to Kandawalla Building, M.A. Jinnah Road. Construction planned fora campus each at Karachi University (Main) & Garden Road (City) Campus

1957

  • Evening Programs launched in graduate studies (MBA)

1956

  • Faculty setup in collaboration with the University of Southern California

1955

  • Established as a USAID financed Business School on the US MBA Model. Programs commenced in YMCA building at Karachi with technical support from the Wharton School of Finance & Commerce, University of Pennsylvania, USA