Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi and Synapse, Pakistan Neuroscience Institute launched Tabeer – (IBA x Synapse) Program for the IBA students, staff, and faculty. Tabeer aims to foster a culture of compassion, effective communication, and creative leadership (3Cs) within the IBA community. The first large assembly to inaugurate this program was held on Friday at IBA, Main Campus.
Speakers included, Founder and CEO Synapse, Dr. Ayesha Mian; Educationist, Human Rights Activist and Social Nationalist, Dr. Arfa Sayeda Zehra; and IBA alumnus and Radio Presenter, Mr. Adeel Azhar, who participated in a fireside chat.
Dean Student Affairs IBA, Maheen Ghauri commenced the session and said that through this initiative, the management hopes to bring a positive change at IBA, aspiring for an empathetic and a kinder IBA community.
Executive Director IBA, Dr. S Akbar Zaidi welcomed the esteemed speakers and attendees. He introduced Synapse, Pakistan and said that these conversations at IBA were an effective way of focusing on mental health and teaching individuals on how to communicate and interact with each other. Dr. Zaidi added that more such initiatives would take place at IBA to inculcate tolerance and a congenial environment. He said that we need to acknowledge that the world is changing and to make IBA more accepting and tolerant of the evolving practices.
Highlighting the objectives of Tabeer, Dr. Mian said that a decline in mental wellbeing in youth is a major issue in institutes of higher education, world over. She said that it was a step in the right direction for IBA to focus on the mental wellbeing of its students. She added that IBA has a strong culture of learning and resilience and needs to consolidate this legacy for the next 50 years and contribute towards the progression of the country. She emphasized practicing self-reflection as individuals and as an institute and evaluating our contributions towards bringing a change in society.
Dr. Zehra spoke about the components that make a society. She said that identity is not just associated with individuals but also with society. She added that religious values and ethics are integral for a community to thrive. She also emphasized practicing compassion and tolerance. Dr. Zehra congratulated Dr. Zaidi on initiating this initiative and Synapse for ensuring it.
Mr. Azhar appreciated IBA for focusing on the mental health of its students. He said it was a great initiative and urged the students to make the most of this opportunity.
A Q&A session followed the discussion.
Earlier, Office of Student Affairs, IBA, signed an MoU with Synapse, Pakistan to launch the Tabeer – (IBA x Synapse) Program. This program includes a series of community-based projects which will be counted towards students’ Social Internship requirement at IBA. They will work in teams on social projects during their summer break, with faculty and staff mentors as part of their group project. These projects will range from hands-on-work to online virtual classrooms. The initiative consists of several components. The first component is a series of workshops and trainings, which will educate the IBA fraternity on the importance of the 3Cs. These sessions will be facilitated by experts in the fields of psychology, communication, and leadership.
The event concluded with Ms. Ghauri presenting mementos to the panelists.
