A letter of collaboration was signed between the Institute of Business Management (IoBM) and the SDGs Support Unit, UNDP on Wednesday, June 13, 2023. The event was held at IoBM. The signatories were Dr. Tariq Rahim Soomro, Acting Rector, IoBM, and Mr. Naveed Ahmed Shaikh - Project Manager, SDGs Support Unit, UNDP.
IoBM and SDGs Support Unit, UNDP will collaborate with the UN 2030 Agenda of engaging civil society, which is imperative for the agenda’s success. This letter of collaboration will provide an instrument of cooperation to facilitate and reinforce collaboration between IoBM and the UNDP SDGs Support Unit in areas of common interest. It will enhance the role of academia in creating an enabling environment for the achievement of Agenda 2030 and test and develop innovative ideas and tools for the implementation of Sustainable Development in Sindh.
The collaboration between IoBM and the SDGs Support Unit of UNDP strongly aligns with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, emphasizing the importance of collaboration across sectors to achieve sustainable development. This partnership aims to foster an enabling environment for the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda, demonstrating how academia can engage civil society and contribute innovative solutions for sustainable development in Sindh. Furthermore, this initiative supports SDG 4: Quality Education by enhancing awareness and knowledge about the SDGs, thereby promoting inclusive and equitable education. The collaboration between the Institute of Business Management (IoBM) and the SDGs Support Unit of UNDP exemplifies a commitment to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals and SDG 4: Quality Education. By working together to disseminate knowledge and engage civil society in sustainable development efforts, this partnership seeks to advance the UN 2030 Agenda and cultivate innovative approaches for addressing local challenges.
Representing the SDGs Support Unit, UNDP were Ms. Rida Amjad Mirza, Communication Officer, and Mr. Munib Ali Faridi, Environmental Policy Analyst. Representing IoBM were Dr. Ather Akhlaq, Director of the Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORIC); Syed Faraz Ali, Manager, ORIC and Ms. Donia Niaz, Assistant Manager, ORIC.
During the discussion, Dr. Tariq Soomro expressed hope that the collaboration would effectively disseminate knowledge about the SDGs among the masses. Recognizing the importance of public awareness, Mr. Naveed Ahmed Shaikh emphasized the need for collective efforts to address the global challenges outlined in the SDGs. As research initiatives hold importance in such projects, Dr. Ather Akhlaq presented key highlights of the research work pursued by the faculty at IoBM.