News Update Times

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)  The Public Speaking Society (PSS) at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi hosted the President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, at a panel discussion on ‘Eastbound – A Talk for Culture Fostering Future’, at Model United Nations IBA Karachi (MUNIK XII).

Inaugurated in 2008, MUNIK is an entirely student-run, non-profit event which provides a platform for young, bright minds to debate on diverse issues from across the globe. With this year’s theme, “Impact through Inclusion”, MUNIK XII strives to continue its legacy of discourse, diversity, and diplomacy.  

The panel of speakers included, the President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi; Executive Director IBA, Dr. S Akbar Zaidi, Associate Professor, School of Economics and Social Sciences, IBA, Dr. Huma Baqai; and Visiting Faculty and Patron PSS, Ms. Nadia Sayeed. Attendees included, Manager IBA PSS, Zara Imran; Director General MUNIK XII, Syed Osama Zaidi; members of the IBA faculty and administration, MUNIK Host Team members and delegates of the conference. 

The aim of this session was to discuss the Eastern political landscape and the role played by forums such as MUNIK to encourage discourse about pressing current issues.  

Dr. Zaidi delivered a warm welcome address and said that the IBA promotes inclusivity and diversity and that the students are given admission based on merit. Furthermore, He added that 25% of the IBA students receive some form of financial assistance. He also apprised the audience of IBA’s journey from a business school to to a multi-disciplinary Institute with 5000 students and around 150 faculty members. Dr. Zaidi also stressed upon the importance of dialogues and discourses that result in peaceful settlements. 

Keynote speaker, Dr. Baqai discussed the pressing current conflicts in the world, particularly highlighting the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. She urged the audience to recognize the importance and relevance of international organizations and the role of conferences, such as MUNIK XII, to teach students crucial skills including negotiations, diplomacy, and conflict resolution. She concluded her speech with a powerful statement, “Competition is good, but cooperation is better”.

Addressing the audience, Dr. Alvi expressed his delight at addressing delegates at an Institute that promotes merit. He commended the IBA and MUNIK team. The esteemed President spoke in detail on the importance of communication in today’s world, and how one should always remain empathetic towards other’s experiences. He added that communication is the window to one’s mind.

On current political events, he expressed his sympathy for the people of Ukraine, expressing Pakistan’s stance of engaging in dialogue and striving for a peaceful solution to resolve the conflict. To punctuate his statement, he shared glimpses of historical peace movements with the audience. The President also shared that historically and in the modern world, people of color have always been treated differently to their western counterparts, citing events such as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The President provoked the audience, especially the young delegates of MUNIK, to ponder the role of international organizations and how they can be improved by learning crucial lessons from history.  

Ultimately, the President’s speech accentuated the need for morality and humanity to remain at the forefront during international conflicts. He lastly stated the importance of a platform like MUNIK XII to amplify young Pakistani voices.

in 2022, 50 women will be trained to enable them to enter the local workforce

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Unilever Pakistan and Circle Pakistan have partnered to set up a digital training program exclusively for deserving women in the city of Rahim Yar Khan. This program will train 50 women in 2022 and another 200 women by 2023.

As part of this effort, Unilever Pakistan and Circle Women will set up a technology hub within the Unilever School in Rahim Yar Khan to make it a place for young women to learn basic digital skills, digital marketing, design, business skills and promote financial inclusion. The target age group for the students will be 18-30 and the students will be required to have completed their matriculation education.

Amir Paracha, Chairman & CEO, Unilever Pakistan highlighted, “Unilever Pakistan has been a part of Rahim Yar Khan since 1948. This is the city where our journey began in the country, and it is always going to be a place that is closest to our heart. This effort will Increase skills and livelihood opportunities for the women in RYK and will open a new pipeline of potential employees and talent in the city.”

Arif Surti, Works Director RYK, Unilever Pakistan, shared, “Our factory in Rahim Yar Khan is the largest in the region, generating livelihoods for hundreds of households in the city. We are also focused on creating diversity by providing a safe environment for women to join the workforce.”

Sadaffe Abid, CEO, Circle Pakistan added, “I am glad to bring this effort to Rahim Yar Khan in partnership with Unilever Pakistan. Circle is committed to women’s economic empowerment and has trained 500 young women from undeserved communities in various parts of Punjab and Sindh on key digital skills such as coding, digital marketing and design to enable them to secure internships leading to jobs or freelancing gigs.”

Unilever Pakistan is the country’s largest FMCG, present in Pakistan since 1948. The company has over 30 brands spanning Home Care, Personal Care, Foods, Beverages, and Ice Cream with over 97% local production, through 4 factories and 5 co packers.

CIRCLE started with the mission of working towards women’s empowerment and leadership development through advocacy, research, technology and innovative entrepreneurship labs, and impactful leadership programs to grow women in leadership roles. CIRCLE provides digital skills from basic digital literacy for women at grassroots level to coding, digital marketing and more.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Beaconhouse, the country’s largest network of private educational institutions, hosted an exclusive Ladies’ Luncheon to honour its dedicated women employees that have served the institution for more than 20 years. The event was held at the Ambiance Hotel in Lahore, and was hosted by Beaconhouse’s Founder and Chairperson, Mrs. Nasreen Mahmud Kasuri. Beaconhouse’s senior executives and veteran employees along with a number of key women from the media were also present at the event to celebrate women and the innumerable services and roles they offer with dedication across all industries.

Addressing the audience at the event, Mrs. Nasreen Mahmud Kasuri stated, “Beaconhouse holds a legacy of over 46 years, and for all these decades it has remained determined to empower women with avenues for professional development and the provision of safe and progressive economic opportunities. Currently we have over 9,500 women employees, making up to about 80% of our total workforce. We are proud of being cultivators of a women-driven work environment.

I congratulate all of you for continuing to be a valuable part of our institution and society.” Beaconhouse Group currently employs more than 15,000 people, out of which 450 women have been affiliated with the organisation for over 20 years. In addition to this, as part of the employee benefits policy, over 5,600 children of these ambitious women employed at Beaconhouse receive education from the BSS network nationwide – availing fee concessions across all campuses.

The Beaconhouse Group has played a pioneering role in bringing economic growth and representation to women and is one of the largest employers for women in the country. The organisation was established in 1975 and has been showcasing educational expertise ever since, with a current student strength of over 315,000 across Pakistan.