​IBA Inaugurates Rs 1.1 Billion Aman Tower

IBA celebrated the Inauguration of its 14 storey Aman Tower at its City Campus, located in Garden East, Karachi. The Aman Tower is a notable addition to Karachi’s skyline off M.A. Jinnah Road, with just 5 minutes from the Mazar-e-Quaid, with the building hosting a library, visiting faculty residences, 8 classrooms, 2 lecture theatres, 4 seminar halls and also accommodating IBA’s Centre for Executive Education, Centre for Excellence in Journalism, Centre for Excellence in Islamic Finance and the Centre for Business & Economics Research. The project was valued at Rs. 1.1 billion and completed within 48 months.

The inauguration honored donations from the Aman Foundation and its parent co. The Abraaj Group, UAE. The guests of honor included Mr. Arif Masood Naqvi (Founder & Group Chief Executive – The Abraaj Group), Ms. Fayeeza Naqvi (Co-Founder & Chairman – The Aman Foundation), Mr. Malik Ahmad Jalal (CEO – The Aman Foundation) and Dr. Ishratul Ebad (Governor Sindh). Other guests present for this occasion included Minister for Education Mr. Nisar Khoro, Mr. Javed Jabbar and Mr. Arshad Mehmood.

Dr. Ishrat Husain NI welcomed the audience and guests, and remarked on this landmark accomplishment of IBA. He expressed his gratitude to the Aman Foundation for its contributions. He thanked the Aman Foundation for being the first organization to respond to his strategic plan in 2009, with a donation of an excess of Rs. 900 million. He mentioned that IBA has received all its donations and grants from Pakistani donors for its infrastructural expenses.  He recognized Mr. Arif for his notable contributions to Pakistan through his various charitable organizations which work towards alleviation of poverty and towards improvement of living standards for the underprivileged. He thanked Mr. Rehan ul Ambia (Director Projects) and Capt. Retd Ahmed Zaheer (Registrar IBA) and his team for their selfless efforts to complete the project during his tenure.

In his opening remarks Mr. Malik Ahmad Jalal mentioned his pride in Karachi and Pakistan and he stated that he believes Karachi has the potential to be a cultural and economic hub for the world through combining its technological, entrepreneurial and cultural linkages. He highlighted the contribution that Aman Foundation makes to the city through its healthcare and educational contributions as the Aman ambulances are the only ambulances which offer life saving on-transit immediate healthcare to save lives and their role in reducing polio through concentrated efforts in afflicted areas while their AmanTech division imparts quality education to the underprivileged training them in electrical, mechanical and automotive engineering skills for national and international job markets. He wished IBA and Aman Foundation continue to play their roles in creating opportunities for upward mobility for Pakistani youth and struggling classes. He thanked Dr. Ishrat Husain and wished him to continue contributing to Pakistan through his visionary contributions.

Mr. Arif Masood Naqvi mentioned he was humble to be part of the auspicious occasion and thanked Dr. Ishrat for initiating change at IBA. He shared his story of a perspective-changing meeting with Bill Gates. Mr. Gates stressed upon him the need to portray leadership for social improvement in the world using all resources and connections. He mentioned that the Aman Foundation aims to continue to support Pakistani philanthropic efforts to grow and develop. He emphasized that Pakistanis should take pride as we are recognized as the most generous nation in the world (contributions by citizens per GDP). He wished Pakistanis, from within and abroad, to be responsible and embrace their roles to implement change in our society and to help Pakistan become a leading nation. He requested Minister For Education Mr. Nisar Khoro to find a replacement for Dr. Ishrat Husain who should be at least half the visionary that Dr. Ishrat Husain is and continue IBA’s path towards becoming ranked among the Top 100 universities internationally.

The ceremony proceeded to the foyer of the Aman Tower where the Guests of Honor were met with Governor of Sindh Dr. Ishratul Ebad who unveiled the plaque and officially inaugurated the Aman Tower for operations. The Guests of Honor were given a tour of the facilities where they saw the latest facilities and centers in operation.