Executive Director IBA meets the Chairman of BOP and OGDCL to explore avenues for collaboration

October 10, 2022: President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bank of Punjab (BOP) and Chairman Oil and Gas Development Corporation Limited (OGDCL), Mr. Zafar Masud, met with Dr. S Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director, IBA, accompanied by Ms. Malahat Awan, Head of Alumni Affairs, IBA.

The meeting was an exploration of possible avenues of collaboration between BOP and IBA, to strengthen the existing working relationship between the two entities. Among the considerations was the idea of setting up an Endowment Fund to financially support deserving students through their academic journey at IBA. In his capacity as the Chairman of the Board of OGDCL, Mr. Masud also discussed the possibility of expanding OGDCL's existing contributions to the IBA's NTHP Program, to sponsor more students.

Mr. Masud apprised Dr. Zaidi of his recent initiative, the Zafar Masud Foundation – A section 42 Not-for-Profit Company, focused on Passenger Safety across all forms of transport. The Foundation will work towards raising awareness regarding passenger safety, identifying gaps and risks in passenger safety, lobbying government agencies and social welfare organizations to raise safety standards through updated laws and regulations, and ensuring higher compliance with said laws.

Mr. Masud expressed interest in employing a consultative team from the IBA to work for the Foundation. The agenda also included discussions on deepening industry academia linkages via a series of interactive sessions between graduating batches and the CEOs of leading business concerns.