Services of outgoing IBA director lauded

Speakers at a reception arranged by the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) lauded the services of Danishmand, the outgoing IBA director, and said that many initiatives have been taken during last six years period for the betterment of this world-class business school.
The reception was arranged to welcome Dr Ishrat Hussain, the new director of IBA and to bid farewell to Danishmand, the outgoing director of the Institute at IBA Main Campus here on Saturday.
The speakers also welcomed new IBA Director Dr Ishrat Hussain (former SBP governor), saying the Institute will progress more under his leadership. Dr Ishrat Hussain is highly educated and well-experienced personality and he will contribute a lot for the betterment of the IBA, they added.
Dr Ishrat Hussain, in his speech, said: "We should pay tribute to the people, who have contributed to the nation and institutions", adding: "We should publicly recognise the services of those, who have spent their lives, knowledge, and resources for the betterment of the nation." The outgoing IBA director, Danishmand, said the IBA is now one of the best business educational institutions in Pakistan.
He said that Pakistani people are more intelligent than others, adding: "We have much potential." He stressed the need for developing education and research culture in the country. Danishmand said that many foreigners have recognised that the IBA is a world-class business school in Pakistan and asked the faculty members to continue their efforts for the betterment of the Institute.
Lauding the services of Danishmand as the IBA director, IBA Acting Director Dr Muhammad Nishat said that during Danishmand's tenure many new programmes were introduced by the Institute. The four-year BBA Programme, PhD. (computer science), new programmes in economics and finance and training programmes for the EOBI and the Sindh government officials were introduced during the six-year tenure of the outgoing IBA director.
Dr Nishat said that the permanent and visiting faculty members increased while the number of students have been increased to 1,700 during the last few years. He pointed out that the number of student will increase up to 3,000 by the year 2010.
"The IBA has organised many international level conferences and seminars during the last six years and all its credit goes to its outgoing director Danishmand", he added.
Dr Nishat pointed out that many of IBA faculty members were sent abroad for specialisation during last six years. He said that the IBA policy of 'Admission only on Merit' remained continue during this period. The IBA arranged training programme for intelligent students with its own resources. After this training programme, these students were able to join regular programme. He pointed out that IBA provides financial support to the deserving students. He welcomed Dr Ishrat Hussain and expressed his hope that the IBA will progress more during his directorship.
Senior faculty members, including Dr Mateen Ahmed Khan, Professor Ziaul Haq, Yasmin Zafar, Professor Inayat N. Din; Manager HR Sahmsuz Zuha, Librarian M. Ghufran and staff members Muhammad Ayaz and Ghulam Rasool also spoke on this occasion and lauded the services of outgoing Director Danishmand. They also welcomed new IBA Director IBA Dr Ishrat Hussain.
It is worth mentioning here, that Danishmand did his MBA from the IBA in 1960. He joined Habib Bank Limited just after completion of his MBA and served for two years. He joined IBA for one year as faculty. He wrote a book on communication, which had been taught for 18 years at the IBA. He went abroad for higher education and taught there for few years. He came back Pakistan and rejoined IBA as an associate professor in 1971. He was also appointed deputy director (evening programme), which was successfully run by him. In 1976, he left IBA. He served as CEO of Muslim Insurance, Honda Atlas and Suzuki. Some six years ago he rejoined IBA as its Director.