The 1st International Conference on Business, Management, and Emerging Technologies (ICBMET-25) commenced with great enthusiasm at Iqra University, Karachi. Organized in collaboration with IBA – University of Sindh, Jamshoro, and supported by the Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC), the two-day event brought together leading scholars, industry experts, policymakers and students from around the world. The conference centred around the theme: ‘Reimagining Sustainable Futures: Business, Management, and Emerging Technologies in a Changing World.’
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Dr. S. M. Tariq Rafi, Chairman of the Sindh Higher Education Commission, who served as the Chief Guest. In his address, Dr. Rafi commended the host institutions for organizing this ground-breaking conference and praised the theme as both timely and vital. He further emphasized the need to rethink business and management models in the context of technological disruption, climate change, and post-pandemic transformation.
“Emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and fintech are not only reshaping industries but also transforming higher education. We must ensure that our students are future-ready—not just in terms of skills, but also in ethical awareness and societal responsibility,” Dr. Rafi remarked.
He further highlighted the critical role of academia-industry collaboration in producing innovative, practical, and scalable solutions. Dr. Rafi reaffirmed SHEC’s commitment to academic excellence, research, and innovation across Sindh, underscoring higher education’s pivotal role in driving economic growth and shaping policy.
Adding to this perspective, Dr. Imamuddin Khoso, Director IBA – University of Sindh, emphasized the role of institutional culture in enabling innovation and academic quality.
“Universities must strengthen industry linkages, and create a culture where excellence—not mediocrity—is celebrated and rewarded,” said Dr. Khoso.
Prof. Dr. Nassar Ikram, Vice Chancellor of Iqra University, delivered the welcome address, expressing pride in hosting the first edition of this international conference.
“This conference reflects a shared vision for academic and industry collaboration. It seeks to generate policy-relevant insights and equip participants with the tools and frameworks needed to lead in an increasingly digital world,” Dr. Ikram said.
The conference agenda featured keynote addresses, academic paper presentations, diverse industry panels, and hands-on workshops covering topics such as:
- Sustainable business models and responsible management
- Innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital age
- Applications of artificial intelligence, big data, and blockchain
- Financial technologies, HR analytics, and digital marketing
- Human resource development in an automated era
Distinguished international speakers from the USA, UK, Türkiye, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Bangladesh also contributed to the event. Keynote speakers at the opening ceremony included:
- Dr. John Komlos, Professor Emeritus, Harvard University, USA
- Dr. Murat Yulek, Rector, Ostim Technical University, Türkiye
- Dr. Trevor A. Brown, Professor, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
- Dr. Murat Yalçintaş, Professor, Istanbul Ticaret University, Türkiye
- Dr. Farooq-e-Azam Cheema, Provost, Karachi School of Business and Leadership
The organizing committee—led by the Deans of FOBA (Faculty of Business Administration), FEST (Faculty of Engineering, Science and Technology), and the Director of IBA, University of Sindh—was recognized for their dedicated efforts in making the conference a success.
In closing, both the Chief Guest and the Vice Chancellor expressed confidence that the conference would lead to meaningful academic discourse, cross-sectoral collaboration, and inspire long-term solutions for sustainable development. They extended their best wishes to all participants for a productive and enriching experience.
