The Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi, through its Center for Executive Education (CEE), successfully concluded a significant visit to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur from August 26 to 31, 2024. The delegation, led by Dr S Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director of IBA Karachi, included Mr Kamran Bilgrami, Director of CEE, and Mr Bulent Sohail, Head of Program and Partnerships at the ADR International Center (ADRIC).
The visit aimed to bolster global partnerships, enhance regional collaborations, and advance Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) initiatives for Pakistan. The delegation’s participation in the Singapore Convention Week and the 10th Anniversary of the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC) was the highlight of the visit. These prominent events provided a platform for the IBA team to engage with international experts in mediation and ADR, reinforcing IBA’s commitment to advancing ADR practices in Pakistan.
The visit commenced on August 25 with a distinguished evening hosted by Mr Sajjad Akhtar, Executive Chairman of PKF-CAP LLP, featuring insights from Dr Zaidi. The event was attended by Ms Rabia Shafiq, High Commissioner of Pakistan in Singapore, Mr Farhan Waheed, Head of the IBA Alumni Chapter in Singapore, and key members of the Pakistani diaspora. The discussions focused on enhancing business ties and fostering collaboration between Pakistani professionals and institutions abroad.
From August 26 to 27, the delegation engaged in high-level meetings with senior representatives of the National University of Singapore (NUS), including Prof. Susanna Leong, Vice Provost of Masters’ Programs and Dean of the School of Continuing and Lifelong Education (SCALE), and Prof. Irene Lye Lin Heng, Former Director of the Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law (APCEL). They also met with legal experts such as Prof. Andrew Simester and Prof. Umakanth Varottil to explore joint research initiatives and legal education opportunities. Discussions with Jumana Zahalka, Associate Professor and Deputy Dean at NUS Business School, focused on leadership development and the future role of business schools in ADR practices.
On August 26, the delegation held significant discussions with Mr Wee Meng Chuan, CEO of SIMC, and Mr Siddharth Jha, Counsel for International Partnerships, aimed at strengthening mediation practices and exploring collaboration between SIMC and IBA’s ADRIC. The importance of enhancing diplomatic and educational ties between Pakistan and Singapore was further underscored in a meeting with HE Rabia Shafiq, High Commissioner of Pakistan in Singapore.
The delegation’s visit to Kuala Lumpur included key meetings on August 29 at the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) with Ms Mary Lim Thiam Suan, Director of AIAC, Bryan A. Richard, Head of Business Development, and Ms Heather Yee Jing Wah. Additionally, the team met with H.E. Syed Ahsan Raza Shah, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Malaysia, and Mr Ameer Hassan Butt, Head of Chancery at the High Commission of Pakistan in Malaysia, to discuss strengthening educational and ADR collaborations between the two nations.
The visit concluded on August 31 with a meeting with Dato’ Abdul Farid, Chairman of the Malaysian International Mediation Centre (MIMC), emphasizing the importance of deepening ties between IBA and MIMC to further regional ADR initiatives.
This strategic visit underscores IBA Karachi’s dedication to enhancing global collaborations and promoting ADR education. The engagements and discussions held during the visit are expected to bring lasting benefits to both institutions and the broader community, marking a significant step forward in IBA’s mission to foster regional and global partnerships in education and ADR.
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