On July 17, 2025, the Institute of Business Management (IoBM) made significant progress in enhancing its academic infrastructure by inaugurating a new Finance Lab. This advanced facility is designed to provide practical exposure to financial research, analytics, and business intelligence.
The inauguration was led by Chancellor Mr. Bashir Janmohammad, alongside Mr. Ali Syed, CEO of Alltrac (Pvt.) Ltd. and IDC (Pvt.) Ltd., who together unveiled the lab. The ceremony was attended by IoBM’s President Mr. Talib S. Karim; Vice President FHE and Chief Advisor, Ms. Sabina Mohsin; Rector, Prof. Dr. Tariq Rahim Soomro; Dean of the College of Business Management (CBM) Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kashif; Dean of the College of Computer Sciences and Information Systems (CCSIS) Prof. Dr. Muhammad Abbas, as well as senior faculty members and management.
What differentiates this lab is its exclusive access to Capital IQ Pro by S&P Global—a widely recognized tool in the global finance industry. With this access, IoBM stands out as the only university in Pakistan offering students and faculty direct use of such a premium financial data platform, allowing them to engage in real-time research and applied learning.
The Finance Lab is also equipped with industry-standard software, including R, Python, SPSS, Stata, EViews, Power BI, and Tableau. This setup provides students and researchers with a strong environment for advanced analytics, visualization, and decision-making exercises. The lab is designed to support a range of activities from thesis research to hands-on assignments, as well as training sessions and specialized workshops, integrating academic learning with practical financial tools.
In the future, IoBM plans to install a live stock ticker in the lab to replicate real-time market conditions and to initiate industry-led certification programs for both students and faculty. Additionally, dedicated research cells will be established, focusing on high-impact areas such as ESG, Islamic Finance, and FinTech, ensuring that the lab remains at the forefront of financial education and innovation.