A ceremony was organized by the Global and Regional Studies Center (GRSC), IoBM to award certificates to students who completed their internship. The event was held on Saturday, August 12, 2023. Present on this occasion were Mr. Talib Karim, President IoBM; Ambassador G R. Baluch, Head of GRSC; and Amb. Syed Hasan Habib, Senior Fellow, Center for Policy & Area Study, IoBM.
This was the third Cohort completed under the umbrella of GRSC. Five students from the degree programs of Economics, Law, and IR (ELI) and Economics, Media, and IR (EMI) were allowed to work under the able guidance of GRSC faculty to acquire insights on various dimensions of regional and international politics, diplomacy, trade among others. This internship program was a part of the student’s minor course in International Relations. The students completing their internships were: Ali Akbar, Mohammad Azeem, Sameer Ahmed and Mohammad Moosa.
During his address, Mr. Talib Karim shared that the youth of Pakistan needs to enhance their knowledge of current affairs. He added that the purpose of GRSC is to exchange ideas on the national and international fronts about geopolitics. He was confident that the future of Pakistan remains with the youth and that the students completing their internships can pursue a career in foreign relations.
Earlier, Ambassador G R. Baluch presented an overview of the GRSC, which is a think tank associated with IoBM. He said that “In an ever-changing world, GRSC’s work as a leading resource for information and ideas about foreign policy is more important than ever. At GRSC, interns do work that matters in a diverse and inclusive environment. They are offered professional development training as a foundation for future work in the field of foreign policy and international affairs.”
He shared the following learning objectives gained by the students. These include:
• Insights into complex Global and Regional Geopolitics and Geo-Economics and its Impact on the Foreign Policy of Pakistan
• Understanding the underlying causes and dynamics of International conflicts
• Peacebuilding and conflict transformation methodologies
• Knowledge of the work of international institutions and inter-governmental bodies and their role in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, peacekeeping, disaster management, and development.
• Skills to better organize and prioritize office work, time management, and teamwork
• Improve their writing and presentation skills
• Expand their network in IR-related organizations
• Research Methodology
The internship program conducted by the Global and Regional Studies Center (GRSC) aligns with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, it contributes to SDG 4 (Quality Education) by enhancing the students’ knowledge of international affairs and foreign policy, preparing them for meaningful careers in global diplomacy. Furthermore, by fostering research, peacebuilding, and international cooperation, the program supports SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), which promotes peaceful societies and effective governance. Finally, GRSC’s collaboration with international bodies and field trips to diplomatic institutions echoes the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), emphasizing the importance of global partnerships for sustainable development.
The students shared a common consensus that the internship provided them to become attuned to current diplomatic and geopolitical issues about Asia, the Middle East, and the US. They were encouraged to work and learn in a congenial environment. They appreciated Amb. Baluch’s efforts in organizing a field trip to the Iranian Consulate that was indeed a learning experience.
Ambassador Syed Hasan Habib presented the Vote of Thanks. He was hopeful that the students will keep Pakistan close to their hearts when pursuing a career in foreign affairs. He was confident that the research work completed by the students will be printed and will facilitate the dissemination of fruitful insights. The event concluded with the students receiving their certificates from President IoBM followed by a group photograph.