Bank Alfalah ropes in IBA-PU to expand industry-academia cooperation

Expanding its endeavor to promote linkages with academia, Pakistan’s leading financial institution, Bank Alfalah Limited (BAFL) has entered into a strategic partnership with yet another prestigious business education institution, Institute of Business Administration, University of Punjab (IBA-PU). The agreement comes as an extension of Bank Alflalah’s recent endeavor for strengthening industry and academia by promoting mutual cooperation for creating and imparting relevant, effective and new forms of knowledge and expertise.

The agreement was signed by Ahmed NaumanAnees – Head,LearningandDevelopment Division, Bank Alfalah, Prof. Dr. Zafar MoeenNasar – Vice Chancellor,University of Punjab and Mrs. SajidaNisar- Incharge Director, Institute of Business Administration, University of the Punjabin presence of executives and high officials from both institutions.

Mrs.Sajida Nisar – Incharge Director, Institute of Business Administration, University of the Punjab, expressed her gratitude and said:“This agreement aims at creating a favorable learning environment for students of IBA – PU and Bank Alfalah employees through a range of joint ventures. Bank Alfalah will provide experiential learning opportunities to IBA-PU students to help them prepare for their future careers in the industry. Both the institutions willdesign, develop and execute joint seminars, guest lectures and workshops whereas BAFL will partake or may sponsor campus events, sports galas etc. at IBA-PU. BAFL will also extend its expertise to assist IBA in designing and developing customized executive development programs, conducting mock interview of students and establishment of Islamic Finance Centre and Entrepreneurial Cell at IBA premises. Moreover, IBA students will be part of BAFL’s Project Internship Programs and the high achievers will receive Gold Medals from Bank Alfalah.In return, IBA–PU will facilitate BAFL through IBA labs and equipment for training and recruitment purposes”.

Sharing his thoughts on this, Ahmed Nauman Anees – Head,Learning and Development Division, Bank Alfalah, said: “Bank Alfalah is delighted to take a long stride in its endeavor to forge strong mutual ties between industry and the academia for the progress of the two sectors. The industry is undergoing immense transformation to adapt to the latest innovations and changing needs of the customers and stakeholders. Both industry and academia will need to keep up with the pace to be able to prepare future professionals for the industry. Our agreement with IBA – PU is aimed at making this possible and I am positive that through coordinated efforts, we will be able to bridge gaps between the two sectors. BAFL will pursue the set goals diligently to create maximum value for both the institutions.”

Commenting on the development, Prof. Dr. Zafar Moeen Nasar – Vice Chancellor, University of Punjab,  said: “We thank Bank Alfalah for its efforts to promote cohesion between the industry and academia. The arrangement will help both sectors work in close coordination for accomplishment of shared goals. Above all, the joint ventures will go a long way in capacity building of our students and BAFL employees, so that they are able to play their role more effectively.

By materializing the agreement, Bank Alfalah and IBA-PU will be able to set a right precedent for imparting quality business education in Pakistan and prepare professionals who are able to induce efficiency and productivity to the industry and create value for the country in the long run.

About Bank Alfalah:

Since its inception, Bank Alfalah has grown rapidly to become Pakistan’s fifth largest private bank, the largest issuer and acquirer of credit cards and one of the largest Islamic Banking businesses in the country. The Bank has a network of over 650 branches spanning more than 200 cities with presence in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bahrain in addition to a representative office in the UAE. The Bank serves more than1 million corporate, retail, small business, agricultural, Islamic and asset financing customers.