Greenwich University officials discuss academic cooperation with Azerbaijan

By Iqbal Jamil 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

A delegation from the Greenwich University, led by its Chancellor, Dr Seema Mughal, and accompanied by Director Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC), Dr Rab Nawaz, met with the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Pakistan, His Excellency Khazar Farhadov, in Islamabad to explore avenues for academic collaboration and educational partnership between the two countries. 

During the meeting, both sides discussed opportunities to strengthen educational ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan through institutional cooperation and academic exchange programmes. 

Ambassador Khazar Farhadov assured the delegation of his full support and facilitation in establishing partnerships between the Greenwich University and leading universities in Azerbaijan. 

He emphasized the importance of fostering academic linkages through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), joint academic programmes, collaborative research initiatives, student and faculty exchange programs, language promotion activities, internships, and socio-cultural and educational visits. 

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Seema Mughal highlighted several areas for future collaboration. She proposed the development of 2+2 academic pathway programmes, the introduction of Greenwich University’s Pre-University Foundation Programme, educational development and capacity-building initiatives, and enhanced access to international qualifications. 

She further identified teacher training, curriculum development, quality assurance, and quality enhancement as key areas where educational institutions in Pakistan and Azerbaijan could work together for mutual benefit. 

The meeting concluded on a positive note with both sides expressing a strong commitment to promoting academic cooperation and strengthening educational partnerships between the two countries. Upon the conclusion of the meeting, Dr Seema Mughal presented a commemorative memento of Greenwich University to Ambassador Khazar Farhadov as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation.

Japanese Consulate’s gift of books to Greenwich University

By Iqbal Jamil

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Consul General of Japan in Karachi, Hattori Masaru, donated 110 books to the Greenwich University as a part of the Read Japan Project at an impressive ceremony held in Karachi. 

The books were donated through the initiative of the Nippon Foundation and have been placed at the Japan Resource Centre, a specially designated section within the Greenwich University Library. 

Speaking at the book handover ceremony, Hattori Masaru remarked that the objective of the Read Japan Project was to promote a deeper understanding of Japan around the world through books. 

He encouraged students to read the donated books covering various aspects of Japan, including its history, culture, politics, and sports, to gain greater knowledge and insight into the country. 

The Consul General also urged students to take advantage of scholarship opportunities available for higher studies in Japan. 

Addressing the ceremony, Pro Vice Chancellor of the Greenwich University, Dr Naveed Mughal, described Japan as a remarkable example of nation-building and development. He highlighted the importance of utilizing the donated collection and encouraged students to read the books to enhance their understanding of Japan’s achievements and contributions across different fields.

Governor Fahad Sikandar begins his tenure with a bang

Dr Beenish Khalid 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Chaudhary Fahad Sikandar, District Governor 2027-2028, Rotary International District 3271, has begun his innings with a bang. He showed his intentions very clearly by arranging a fabulous meetup of President Nominees at the Karachi Gymkhana on June 5. 

He was the pivot around which the whole ceremony revolved, although officially it was hosted by the Rotary Club of Shahrah-e-Faisal Karachi. The participation of nearly 100 Rotarians spoke volumes of his organizational skills. 

Although the past as well as the current governors were accorded far too much recognition, exceeding the global Rotary protocols, the night belonged to Fahad Sikandar, who stole the limelight with his excellent presentation skills.

The President Nominees, who will be a part of Governor Fahad Sikandar's team, were thoroughly appreciative of the efforts of their versatile leader who is expected to bring about the much-needed change in Rotary affairs in Pakistan.

Digital edition of Rotary District Directory for 2027-28 unveiled

Dr Beenish Khalid

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Chaudhary Fahad Sikandar, District Governor 2027-2028, Rotary International District 3271, has already created waves and the launch of the digital edition of the Rotary District Directory during the President Nominee Fellowship Meetup at Karachi Gymkhana on June 5 was declared as a pleasant surprise. 

Very rightly, he was lavishly praised for the initiative on the occasion as the directory was unveiled in most spectacular of fashion in the presence of the cheering Rotarians. 

As pointed out by the various dignitaries, present on the occasion, collecting and compiling data from the different clubs has always remained a challenging proposition even for the most resourceful of Rotary leaders but Fahad Sikandar proved the point that he indeed desires to let his work do the talking.

By bringing out the directory more than an year before the start of his tenure, he has provided adequate time to his team members to plan something big when they take charge their respective responsibilities on July 1, 2027.

A chapter is over with Pervez Iqbal’s death

By Syed Khalid Mahmood 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Hundreds of his former colleagues, contemporaries from the different walks of life, close friends and family members gathered to bid farewell to Pervez Iqbal, hailed as one of the trailblazers in the advertising and marketing industry, who passed away on May 30. They attended the funeral prayers held later the same evening at the Sakeena Masjid and he was buried in the DHA Phase-VIII Graveyard in Karachi. 

Senator Dr Sarmad Ali, President, All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), and Managing Director, Jang Media Group, was particularly moved by the sad demise of Pervez Iqbal, whom he described as a highly respected professional, a gentleman of great warmth and integrity, who will be dearly missed. 

Another large turnout was also witnessed during the dua for the departed soul, which was organized at his residence, located on the Zulfiqar Street in the DHA Phase-VIII on May 31. They condoled the death of Pervez with his brother, Shahid and Arshad, and son Asim. 

Prominent among those present on the occasion included Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Bashir Memon, Senator Javed Jabbar, Talib Syed Karim, Asad I A Khan, Syed Jawaid Iqbal, Naveed Moghul, Jamal Mir, Iqbal Munir, Zulfiqar Ramzi and Arshad Nawab. 

They were unanimously firm in their belief that Pervez Iqbal’s death will certainly leave a vacuum in the advertising and marketing industry and his contributions will be remembered for a long time to come.

Ever-smiling Pervez Iqbal is no more

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The family sources have confirmed that Pervez Iqbal breathed his last on the morning of May 30. He had been laid low by a protracted illness for quite sometime but he was courageous and articulate enough to continue working professionally with his trademark smile, and enthusiasm, from the basement of his residence in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) in Karachi. 

Indeed, the advertising fraternity has lost one of its most committed professionals with his demise. Having worked at the famous Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI), he was the founding CEO of the Big Bang Communications Limited (BBCL), which had come into being in the 1990s. 

He and his company rose to fame from a modest beginning with the ICC World Cup 1996 assignments as they proved their mettle by adding value to the mega cricket event, co-hosted by Pakistan. They built a big reputation as event managers, besides their growing engagement in the advertising and marketing arena. 

The imposing structure of the BBCL House, located on Khyaban-e-Jami, was a testimonial of their resounding success in the 2000s but the steep decline in business during the later years saw them shrinking and the slide did not stop. Once operating from the multistoried building of their own, the BBCL had to relocate to a much smaller rented premises. 

Being a great fighter, Pervez Iqbal tried his level best to keep his company afloat, primarily for the sake of his large team which he was reluctant to layoff, but his strenuous efforts could not yield the desired results. He worked for long hours which took its toll on his health. Although, he battled the ailments with a smile but the damage had been done. 

He will be remembered for years to come for having played a significant role in shaping Pakistan’s advertising, marketing, and event management landscape. Under his leadership, the BBCL had successfully executed numerous large-scale campaigns, activations, and events for both national and international brands, setting benchmarks that many in the industry aspired to follow.

Recalling Aziz Memon’s historic meeting with Nelson Mandela

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

October 12, 1992 was a Red Letter Day in the history of Pakistan, as Nelson Mandela, one of the greatest-ever leaders of the world, touched down in Karachi for a brief visit. 

He had been released from the Victor Verster Prison in Paarl, South Africa, on February 11, 1990, after serving 27 years as a political prisoner for opposing apartheid. He had spent exactly 18 years of his 27-year imprisonment on Robben Island. 

His freedom had signalled the dismantling of the apartheid regime and culminated in him becoming the country's first Black president. 

Aziz Memon, one of Pakistan’s most charismatic personalities, a proud recipient of Sitara-e-Imtiaz for his services in the social sector, fondly remembers the chance to meet the great Nelson Mandela on that evening of October 12, 1992 when the business community of Karachi arranged a party to greet the most popular South African leader. 

Soon after their brief meeting, Nelson Mandela had quite generously invited Aziz Memon to visit him in South Africa which he did just a few months later. 

Nelson Mandela has been revered the world over for his resilience and commitment to peace and reconciliation prevented a civil war, ultimately earning him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and the presidency in 1994. 

He had returned to Pakistan for a second, official state visit in May 1999, where he addressed a joint sitting of Parliament and publicly thanked the Pakistani people for their staunch international support during the darkest days of the anti-apartheid movement.