Addressing the inaugural session, Dr Hasan Sohaib Murad said that when we first took up the idea of organizing an international business conference and exhibition, we were met with skepticism. Why would a university want to be involved in this? But the fact is that if we want to develop the economy with a knowledge focus, and bring about a strategic transformation, then we need a platform that converges all key players – policy makers, businesses, civil society members, academia, government, etc. Events like the IBCE are ideally suited to ignite and inspire young minds.
Dr Hasan said that nearly half of UMT alumni are working abroad. UMT wants to play its part in the global economy and that is why IKL Dubai has been set up to bring about a transformation in the human capital development landscape.
The Rector added that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) presents immense opportunities. Pakistan is blessed with tremendous potential; it is the job of the academia to turn human resources into valuable human capital. He said that university students are the best means to achieve future growth. The young people sitting here, attending the IBCE and events like this, are going to change the development index of the country by driving its economy and enhancing exports.
