The Institute of Business Management (IoBM), in collaboration with OPEN Karachi, hosted a Fireside Chat with Mr. Malik Sarwar, Founding Partner and Managing Director, Wealth Management Global Leader Group, USA, on Saturday, September 26, 2026. The session was jointly organized by IoBM’s College of Business Management (CBM) and Entrepreneurship and Management Excellence Center (EMEC), in collaboration with OPEN Karachi. Ms. Shaha Tariq, Head of EMEC and Advisor to the President, IoBM, moderated the session. The event was attended by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kashif, Dean CBM; Head of Departments, Faculty Members, and Students. Dr. Shagufta Ghauri, Associate Dean, College of Business Management, IoBM, played an instrumental role in organizing this session.
Titled “Becoming Significant in the World Today,” the Fireside Chat explored the meaning of success beyond academic qualifications and the journey towards becoming a valuable and meaningful contributor to society and the professional world.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Shaha Tariq highlighted how technology has made the world increasingly interconnected while also creating new challenges, including environmental concerns, geopolitical conflicts, technological disruption, economic uncertainty, social change, artificial intelligence and rapid digital transformation. Against this backdrop, she raised an important question for the audience: How can individuals remain relevant in a rapidly changing world? She also emphasized the importance of understanding one’s individual value and identifying ways to strengthen one’s contribution to society and the world.
Engaging with the audience, Mr. Malik Sarwar began by inviting participants to reflect on why they had attended the session and what they hoped to gain from it, whether success, wisdom, personal growth or the desire to become a better version of themselves. He emphasized that the ability to help others begins with personal growth and self-understanding. Underscoring the importance of introspection, he remarked, “The mirror is more important than the window,” highlighting the need to look within before looking outward.
Mr. Malik Sarwar identified character and integrity, competence, and compassion as three important elements of success. He explained that character and integrity define who we are, competence enables us to excel in our chosen field, while compassion allows us to share our knowledge, experience and wisdom with others. He also emphasized the importance of curiosity, encouraging participants to continuously ask questions and, most importantly, to begin with “Why?”
Mr. Malik Sarwar encouraged students to “become the CEO of your brand” by consciously developing their personality, character and career. He emphasized that professional growth is not limited to academic qualifications or technical competence, but also involves building a strong personal identity, developing the right values and taking ownership of one’s career journey. The discussion explored the importance of developing problem-solving, advisory, resilience and decision-making skills, particularly in an increasingly complex and uncertain professional environment.
The conversation also examined the importance of delivering exceptional client experiences, with examples from organizations such as Amazon, Disney and Ritz-Carlton. Other areas discussed included the role of women in wealth and asset management, ESG, social impact and responsible business. A recurring theme of the conversation was the need to look beyond conventional definitions of career success and focus on the value individuals can create for others.
Mr. Malik Sarwar emphasized that “Success to Significance” should become part of one’s life, explaining that success is for yourself, while significance is for others. He encouraged students to become “go-givers” and contribute to society by sharing their time, knowledge and abilities, including through volunteering and other forms of community engagement.
The discussion thus highlighted a progression from “career to character to significance,” encouraging participants to view professional success not only in terms of personal achievement but also in terms of the positive value they create for others. The Fireside Chat provided students with an opportunity to engage with a global business leader and gain insights into leadership, entrepreneurship, professional growth and the changing business landscape. The interactive discussion connected academic learning with the skills, mindset, curiosity and sense of purpose needed to navigate a rapidly changing world.
The session concluded with a reflection on the role individuals can play in creating meaningful value beyond the university, emphasizing that the journey from success to significance involves not only building a career, but also developing character and giving back to society. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kashif expressed his appreciation to the esteemed guest, Mr. Malik Sarwar, and presented him with a token of appreciation in recognition of his participation and valuable insights.
