Karachi August, 2024: Center for Executive Education (CEE), at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi successfully concluded a pivotal visit to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur by its esteemed delegation, led by Dr. S Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director, IBA Karachi, along with Mr. Kamran Bilgrami, Director, Center for Executive Education (CEE) and Mr. Bulent Sohail, Head of Program and Partnerships, ADR International Center (ADRIC).
The visit’s highlight was the delegation’s participation in the Singapore Convention Week and the 10th
Anniversary of the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC). These landmark events brought together global leaders in mediation and ADR, providing a unique platform for the IBA team to engage with international experts and reinforce their commitment to advancing ADR practices.
The delegation commenced its visit with a distinguished evening with insights by Dr. Zaidi and hosted by Mr. Sajjad Akhtar, Executive Chairman, PKF-CAP LLP, on August 25. The event was graced by Ms. Rabia Shafiq, High Commissioner of Pakistan in Singapore, along with Mr. Farhan Waheed, IBA Alumni Chapter Head in Singapore, and key members of the Pakistani diaspora. Fruitful discussions on enhancing business ties and fostering collaboration between Pakistani professionals and institutions abroad ensued.
From August 26-27, the delegation engaged in meetings with senior representatives of the National University of Singapore (NUS), including Prof. Susanna Leong, Vice Provost Masters’ Programs and Dean of the School of Continuing and Lifelong Education (SCALE), and Prof. Irene Lye Lin Heng, Former Director, Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law (APCEL). They also met Prof. Andrew Simester from the Faculty of Law, and Prof.
Umakanth Varottil, Vice Dean of Graduate Studies, where the dialogue centered on legal education and potential joint research initiatives. Additionally, the team met Jumana Zahalka, Associate Professor & Deputy Dean, NUS Business School, to discuss the importance of leadership development and the role of business schools in shaping the future of ADR practices.
On August 26, the delegation met with Mr. Wee Meng Chuan, CEO, Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC), and Mr. Siddharth Jha, Counsel for International Partnerships. These discussions revolved around strengthening mediation practices and exploring avenues for collaboration between SIMC and IBA’s ADRIC. The delegation also met HE Rabia Shafiq, High Commissioner of Pakistan in Singapore, underscoring the importance of enhancing diplomatic and educational ties between Pakistan and Singapore.
The visit also included important meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. On August 29, the delegation met Ms. Mary Lim Thiam Suan, Director, Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC), along with Bryan A. Richard, Head of Business Development, and Ms. Heather Yee Jing Wah, at AIAC. The delegation also met H.E. Syed Ahsan Raza Shah, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Malaysia, and Mr. Ameer Hassan Butt, Head of Chancery at the High Commission of Pakistan in Malaysia, to discuss enhancing educational and ADR collaborations between Pakistan and Malaysia. On August 30, the IBA team engaged with Mr. Jashveenjit Singh and Ms. Samrith Kaur at the Asian Institute of
Alternative Dispute Resolution (AIADR) in Kuala Lumpur, exploring potential partnerships in ADR training and development. The visit concluded on August 31, with a meeting with Dato’ Abdul Farid, Chairman, Malaysian International Mediation Centre (MIMC), underscoring the importance of strengthening ties between IBA and MIMC to further regional ADR initiatives.
This visit to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur marks a significant step forward in IBA Karachi’s mission to enhance global collaborations and promote ADR education. The engagements and discussions held at various institutions in Kuala Lumpur are expected to benefit both institutions and the broader community.
