The Institute of Business Administration, Karachi is the oldest business school outside North America. It produces world class management professionals working in Pakistan and around the world.
While it keeps its programs and methodologies abreast with the changing needs of the market and advances in knowledge, it firmly adheres to its basic values and policies about merit and diligence.
In spite of the rapid increase in the number of business schools in the country, the IBA has maintained its position as the premier institution of higher learning in the field of business administration. During the past several years, the number of students has grown significantly yet the quality of incoming students and graduates has been improving.
The IBA graduates are known for their excellence and skills in Pakistan and abroad. Despite the growing number of graduates, the demand for the IBA graduates always exceeds the number of job offers from multinational firms and professionally managed Pakistani companies who hire IBA graduates with confidence because of the high level of professionalism instilled in them.
Distinguishing features of the IBA are the induction of students through a systematic and entirely merit-based admission process, training in a demanding academic environment, and on-time completion of study programs. Admission procedures, curricula, methods of instruction and the system of examinations at the IBA give it a unique position among leading educational institutions in Pakistan. The medium of instruction is English. 46% of its students are female.
To meet the need for experts in computer related areas the IBA established its Center for Computer Studies was established in 1983. This program is indicated by the fact that the IBA won Microsoft's Imagine Cup in Pakistan in 2005 and 2006. It initially offered a diploma in Systems Analysis to overcome a shortage of software professionals in the country. It now offers BBA (MIS), MBA (MIS) and BCS (software engineering) programs. A PhD program in MIS/Computer Science and Engineering/ICT was started in August 2005.
The IBA established a state-of-the-art Centre for Executive Education in 2004. This Centre provides training in practices, ideas and issues to leaders and managers of public and private sectors. Besides officers of business corporations who attend specific programs, a new Diploma Course has been introduced for in-service executives. Four hundred Officers of CBR have been already trained at the IBA Karachi. Another large group of officers stationed in the North will start training with IBA faculty in Lahore next week.
A Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence is being established at the IBA. The first program will be offered within this year gradually to groom and diversify. The Center will service not only Pakistan but Central Asia and the Middle East also.
The IBA has established systems to support research and publications by faculty and students. A Research Wing has been established. The purpose of this initiative is to play a key role in the development of industrial and financial sectors of Pakistan by providing useful evaluation, analysis and guidance. The IBA has launched its bi-annual research journal, BUSINESS REVIEW in June 2006. The Journal has been well received by academicians and researchers. The third issue of the Journal is in the press.
Books and journals are being added to our large library facilities almost daily. The libraries subscribe to hundreds of international and local journals and periodicals. Access to 16000 IT and business journals provide the students and faculty direct access to the work of the world community of researchers, thinkers, and practitioners. Jestor facilities are also available. Soon Proquest service will be available. These important links make it possible for researchers and students to have access to the most up-to-date materials on line.
The performance of students is evaluated through a system of continuous testing spread over the entire period of studies. In addition to the final examination given at the end of each semester, students are tested through monthly examinations, a series of short quizzes, class discussions, written assignments, research reports, etc, all of which contribute to the final grade. Internships and group assignments in real business situations are essential parts of the processes of education and training.
The faculty are chosen carefully, are evaluated by students every semester. The faculty are encouraged to go abroad for higher studies and to conduct research, attend conferences and publish research papers. The number of faculty as well as faculty with Ph.Ds is higher than any business school in the country. Yet we are concerned about the shortage of faculty considering demands of a growing quality teaching and research institutions. IBA faculty works in specialised disciplines listed below.
HOWEVER, ALL STUDIES AND RESEARCH ARE FOCUSED ON BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT:
-- Economics & Finance
-- Management
-- Marketing
-- Computer Studies
-- Social Science
-- Law & Accounting Department
-- Center of Executive Education
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS:
FOUR YEAR'S BACHELOR'S PROGRAMS:
-- BBA
-- BCS
-- BBA (MIS)
MASTER PROGRAMS:
-- MBA
-- MBA (MIS)
-- MBA (Tax Management)
-- P.G.D.
-- Ph.D Programs
-- In MIS, Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) and ICT
-- Executive Development Programs
-- For private and Government sector executives