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IBA Alumni host
Dinner In honour of the President of Pakistan
On Friday December 13,
2013 the Sindh Governor’s House was full of dignitaries
on as the IBA Alumni and the IBA played host to a dinner
in honour of the President of Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Mamnoon
Hussain, an IBA Alumnus from the class of 1965. Over 500
attendees including the Council-Generals of different
countries, top executives from the corporate world and
IBA Alumni gathered to celebrate and honour the
President of Pakistan, and to raise funds for the
Endowment Fund of the IBA.
Mr. Shahid Shafiq, the Alumni Representative on the IBA
Board of Governors, was the motivator and impetus behind
the dinner while the IBA Alumni Department provided the
administrative and functional support to make this event
a reality. He personally requested the President to
attend the dinner, and despite his gruelling journey to
South Africa and the swearing-in of the new Chief
Justice of Pakistan, the President attended the Alumni
dinner. It took more than a month’s preparation to
accomplish the feat, including daunting multiple-level
security clearances. The hard work paid off as an
impressive Rs. 9 million were collected from the
corporations and Alumni. This amount has been donated to
the Endowment Fund at IBA, to help new students who may
be financially challenged.
While a corporate table was worth Rs. 200,000, Alumni
were required to pay a subsidised Rs. 5,000 per seat as
a token of their love and affection for IBA. A large
number of Alumni, accompanied by family members, came
together to rejoice this momentous occasion.
Alumni friends from the class of the President of
Pakistan travelled from different parts of the world,
such as Bangladesh, the United States, the United Arab
Emirates and Saudi Arabia to congratulate their IBA
batch mate on his historic achievement. The President’s
teacher, Dr. Azeemuddin Subhani, IBA Alumnus of 1963,
accompanied by his wife, were also present at the
occasion. “It is indeed a matter of great pride and
honour for IBA to have produced graduates like Mr.
Mamnoon Hussain”, said an enthusiastic Dr. Azeemuddin
over a candid discussion during the event.
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Alumni Testimonials:
The alumni dinner was lovely. It
was great meeting everyone. The dinner was
absolutely smashing and a great initiative. All
in all … a classy affair...and congratulations
to the Alumni team for pulling it off. Hope
other dinner table meetings are held regularly.
Proud to be associated with the IBA.
----Shazia Yaqub (Alumnus of
1996)
This event was simply flawless. Very good job
done by the team under the dynamic leadership of
Alumni Representative, Shahid Shafiq, who
deserves our heartiest felicitation!
--Etrat Rizvi (Alumnus
of 1974)
The dinner with the President was effectively
planned and meticulously implemented. The
arrangement made for the dinner was superb.
Seating arrangement looked very attractive.
Timing of starting and finishing of this event
was very comfortable for the guests. Food served
for the guests was very delicious.
I congratulate the entire team of
Alumni Department for their untiring efforts for
making the dinner successful. It would be unjust
on my part if I do not commend/acknowledge Mr.
Shahid Shafiq, Alumni Representative/Member on
the Board of Governors of IBA, for his guidance
and support to Alumni Department. He has always
been instrumental for arranging large number of
events from Alumni Forum since long.
Congratulations to the Alumni Department for
making this event a GREAT SUCCESS!
--Shahood Alam (Alumnus of 1980)
First of all, I want to
congratulate IBA for arranging the event so
beautifully, it’s really an awesome feeling to
be a part of the historic event. I pray that the
tradition continues.
--Rana Shaheen (Alumnus of
2000)
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 The wonderful evening
kicked off at 6 p.m. with the arrival of guests. The
one-hour session before the arrival of the Chief
Guest served as a networking session as old friends
relived the memories of IBA days while new
connections were made amongst corporates from
various sectors.
The Chief Guest was received by Dean and Director
IBA Karachi, Dr. Ishrat Husain and Mr. Shahid Shafiq.
President of Pakistan received a standing ovation
from the audience as he made his way to the stage.
Dr. Ishrat Husain gave a welcome address and
felicitated the Chief Guest on attaining the most
exalted position in the country.
“IBA has been a Centre of Excellence for decades
producing global graduates who have made a mark in
various fields.” While extolling the achievements of
IBA Alumni, Dr. Ishrat exhorted the graduates to
come forward with monetary help and facilitate its
alma mater in achieving greater heights.
The Chief Guest was all praises for IBA whom he
affectionately referred to as his 'second home'.
"The history of the IBA is as old as Pakistan and
only a handful of institutions can claim this honour.
But what truly sets apart IBA from the rest, is the
consistency with which it has produced graduates
that have shaped the history of this great nation in
every era and in every possible field they entered."
The President eulogized the efforts of Dr. Ishrat
Hussain under whose leadership IBA has turned a new
leaf. "At a time when economy was at its ebb, Dr. Ishrat managed to raise almost Rs.
5 billion, turning the IBA into an institution,
commensurate with its legacy and prestige. His
efforts were not just restricted to the
infrastructural development but were aimed at
improving the academic environment at par with
international standards."
The President emphasized the role of higher
education institutes especially the IBA to churn out
graduates who work towards the betterment of the
country.
"A great responsibility lies on the shoulders of
higher education institutes like the IBA for
preparing a workforce that could not only add value
to the economy with honesty, integrity and sheer
hard work but also become good human beings for the
betterment of the society."
The President of Pakistan also led a prayer for the
well-being of former Dean and Director IBA, Mr.
Danishmand, an IBA Alumnus of 1961. The address was
followed by a sumptuous dinner and the evening
culminated with the musical performance from the
talented artists of National Academy of Performing
Arts.
We wish the President best of luck in his future
endeavours and hope that the IBA continues to
produce such talent in future.
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