At the invitation of Mr. Talib S. Karim, President of the Institute of Business Management (IoBM), a distinguished contingent from Niger visited the IoBM campus on Wednesday, August 7, 2024. This visit underscored the strengthening of educational ties between Pakistan and Niger, promising future collaborations and mutual growth in the academic field. The visiting delegation from Niger included Mr. Ibrahim Guero Mahamadoul-Hadi, Rector of KAAT University; Dr. Halidou Soumana Ibrahim, also from KAAT University; and Mr. Sanda Maiga Abdoulaye, Rector of IPSP. They were accompanied by Dr. Ahmed Ali Sirohey, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Niger; Mr. Ibrahim bin Maqsood, representing the African Institute of Technology (AIT), Niamey; and Ms. Saima Agha, MPA and Sindh Assembly Parliamentary Secretary for Sports and Youth Affairs. Prof. Dr. Mansoor uz Zafar Dawood, Vice Chancellor, ILMA University, and Prof. Dr. Syed Urfan Hyder, Vice Chancellor, Salim Habib University also attended the meeting.
In his Welcome Address, Mr. Talib Karim stated, "We are a community of 30+ private sector universities in Sindh, with a strong network of such institutions. As a country, we are disconnected from Africa. We need to increase our collaboration." He added that universities in Pakistan, both private and public, should open their doors in the fields of academics, research, and faculty exchange, among other areas.
The meeting was attended by IoBM’s Rector, Deans, Head of Departments, Faculty, and Management. Prof. Dr. Tariq Rahim Soomro, Rector of IoBM, recited verses from the Holy Quran. The Master of Ceremonies was Ms. Juveria Baig, Head of Placement & International Cooperation, who also presented an overview of IoBM to the visiting guests. The delegation from Niger expressed that Pakistan excels in student exchange programs, training, research, lab technology, health sciences, engineering, and IT. They envision collaborating with IoBM to facilitate educational opportunities for students in Niger, aiming to create a mutually beneficial partnership. This collaboration is expected to enhance academic and professional development for students in both countries, fostering innovation and knowledge exchange in these critical fields. During their visit, the delegation was given a comprehensive tour of IoBM's state-of-the-art facilities, showcasing the institution's commitment to providing a world-class education. The visit concluded with a souvenir distribution ceremony, marking the occasion with tokens of appreciation.