LBS hosts colloquium, poster presentation to foster collaboration between industry and academia

 Research is the cornerstone of progress, serving as a powerful tool that fuels innovation, uncovers new knowledge, challenges existing beliefs, and paves the way for advancements across all fields of study.

To fuel the spirit of research at The University of Lahore (UOL), the Lahore Business School (LBS) actively took part in the orchestration of the Faculty of Management’s (FMS) Xplore Research Confluence Week. The event was marked by a colloquium, poster competition, CEO forum, training sessions, and research conference.

Colloquium and poster competition

The commencement of the colloquium marked the initiation of the research week. This colloquium represented the second installment, following the initial session held on January 27th, 2023. Similarly, the poster competition, held on February 16th, 2024, also saw its second occurrence, mirroring the pattern of the colloquium.

The purpose of the colloquium was to offer students a platform to present their research ideas and receive feedback from both their peers and experienced researchers. The students who participated were at various stages of their research, with some developing synopses and others at more advanced levels. Certain students had prepared individual papers specifically for the colloquium to showcase their research ideas, while others opted for pictorial representations through posters to present their work.

Dr Muhammad Iqbal (Director, Office of Research and Commercialisation (ORIC)), attended the colloquium as the guest of honor. Additionally, Mr Mehboob Alam (Associate Dean, School of Accountancy and Finance), along with Dr Ghulam Ghous (HoD, Economics Department), and Mr Imtiaz Hussain (HoD, School of Aviation), were invited as the key speakers.

Dr Iqbal emphasised the critical role of research in fostering innovation and creativity within business schools. He highlighted how research encourages students and faculty to explore novel ideas, challenge conventional wisdom, and develop innovative solutions to complex business problems. Furthermore, Dr Iqbal underscored the importance of research in equipping future business leaders with essential analytical skills and critical thinking abilities.

The colloquium was characterised by the parallel sessions of students’ research paper presentations that were followed by the poster competition. The event was attended by LBS students, and departments such as the Department of Economics, Lahore School of Aviation, and the Department of Accountancy and Finance also voluntarily participated in the poster competition and paper presentations.

Around 60 plus papers were presented, and 25 plus posters were exhibited. A total of six students got awards for their research paper presentations: Mr Rana Tanveer Hussain, Mr Umair Sajjad, Ms Kashif Nawaz, Mr Imran Afzal, Ms Nousheen and Ms Sana Ali. The following students got the best poster presentation awards: Ms Hina Shahid, Ms Aniku, Ms Iqra and Ms Gulshan.

The colloquium and the poster competition yielded several potential outcomes for participants, including enhanced presentation skills, increased confidence, an expanded knowledge base, networking opportunities, motivation for further research, and validation of academic efforts.

CEO Forum

The CEO Forum, a collaborative effort between LBS-UOL and the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industries (LCCI), spanned two days. Its inaugural chapter took place last year, in 2023, with the international research conference at LBS. This marked the second chapter of the event. The first day, February 17th, saw the gathering of CEOs from esteemed firms and the president of LCCI at LBS. The second day was scheduled at LCCI, where guests, including CEOs of prominent firms and students from LBS alongside faculty members, were invited.

The primary objective of the forum was to inform students about industry requirements and guide them on how to enhance their preparation during their degree programme to meet the demands of employers more effectively. Additionally, the overarching goal of the session was to foster collaboration between industry and academia, bridging the gap between the two.

The agenda commenced with a token of appreciation distribution ceremony extended to all stakeholders, followed by an opening speech from Mr Kashif Anwar (President, LCCI). The sessions were attended by CEOs, bachelor’s and master’s students, and esteemed faculty members from LBS, as well as other Department of Economics and Lahore School of Aviation.

During his address, Mr Anwar underscored the significance of insights provided by the World Economic Forum, which highlighted future trends pivotal for socio-economic development. These trends, encompassing innovation, technology, and digitalisation, were deemed critical for shaping the global economic landscape. Emphasising that education should transcend the sole objective of securing employment, Mr Anwar encouraged institutions to empower students with core technical competencies while fostering an environment conducive to idea exploration and innovation.

Afterwards, a panel discussion, moderated by Prof Dr Talat Afza (Professor Finance, Lahore Business School), delved into the theme of “Crisis to Opportunity: Strategies for Turning Challenges Around,” featuring panellists Ms Shamim Akhtar (CEO, Care Marketing), Mr Attiq-Ur-Rehman (CEO, Al-Jahan International), Mr Abdul Wadood Alvi (CEO, Adan Printers), Mr Abdul Wahab Ahmed (CEO, ABFA Technologies), and Mr Abdul Rafeh Iqbal (CEO, Intercan).

The subsequent session, hosted by the LCCI on February 18th, 2024, featured additional CEOs, namely Dr Shahid Raza (Chairman, SR Labs and Feeds), Mr Muhammad Waseem Yousaf (CEO, Quality Vision), Ms Fareeha Younas (CEO, FSN Travel and Tours), Mr Zeeshan Khalil (Vice President, Hardware Hub), and Mr Kashif Younas Mehr (Senior Vice President, Model Steel Group of Companies). The discussion was moderated by Dr Mehmood Rehmani (Associate Professor, FMS). During the session at LLCI, a total of 70 students, along with programme managers and Dr Rizwan Ali (Head, Centre for Research Excellence, LBS), participated.

The forum facilitated fruitful discussions and networking opportunities among students, faculty members, and industry professionals. These interactions fostered a collaborative environment aimed at enhancing the educational experience and preparing students for the realities of the professional world. Furthermore, the establishment of stronger ties between academia and industry served to promote research partnerships, internship opportunities, and potential career pathways for students, thereby enriching their educational journey and enhancing their prospects for success in their chosen fields. Overall, the CEO Forum proved to be a valuable platform for bridging the gap between theory and practice, empowering students to thrive in the competitive landscape of the modern workforce.

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