The Orientation for Fall semester 2021 could not have been possible without the guidance and support of IoBM’s President, Mr. Talib Karim and Executive Director, Ms. Sabina Mohsin. Their advice and insights during the planning and implementation phase were indeed instrumental. The various teams of Admissions, Academics, Finance, Media, IT, Marketing, Transport, Student Affairs, and student members of Student Societies worked in cohesion to ensure all modalities of the Orientation were completed as planned. The Master of Ceremonies was Dr. Mehvish Saleem, HoD, Communication and Languages, IoBM.
The Orientation for Fall semester 2021 was held online on Saturday, September 04, 2021. With changing times and in the “new normal”, this was IoBM’s second online orientation – the first was held for the Fall semester 2020. The Fall semester 2021 Orientation was held through Spatial Chat – an online tool that was integrated into IoBM’s webpage: orientation.iobm.edu.pk. This virtual meeting space allowed IoBM management to interact with new students. The students were able to communicate with their new batch mates and seniors through an audio link or face-to-face video meetups. Huzaifa Abdur Rehman (BS-Economics, Media and IR) recited the verses from the Holy Quran. The translation was recited by Nawal (BS- Accounting and Finance). The back-end process of the Orientation was managed by the Media Department of IoBM in coordination with IT with complete support from all stakeholders.
During his speech, President IoBM, Mr. Talib Karim said that the pandemic and its resulting lockdown presented IoBM with the opportunity to conduct online classes. Now that the situation is coming under control, Fall semester 2021 will have a mix of hybrid and physical classes with assessments to be held on campus. He added that although we are moving towards a normal routine, we need to be careful. We should follow SOPs on campus so we can take care of each other. He said that the new students will be acquainted with virtual platforms such as Zoom and Moodle which they will use to take online classes. He shared that apart from acquiring academic insights through classroom lectures, IoBM will help students develop their acumen and personality through extracurricular activities. He urged all students to be vaccinated. He advised students to respect Pakistan and explore the picturesque areas of the North. He assured that the students will achieve personal and professional success if they respect their parents, teachers and follow their guidance and experience.
Earlier during his speech, Dr. Shujaat Mubarik, Associate Dean CBM advised students to have a goal in life and to remain consistent in completing academic activities. He assured that if students exhibit academic acumen and have a worthwhile goal, IoBM will become their partner to help them achieve their career and professional objectives. Sana Ahmed Alvi (BBA Graduate – 2020) shared her journey at IoBM and how it helped her achieve her professional goals. She advised the new students to continue learning skills, network and make friends, and to continue enhancing personal attributes that will facilitate them in achieving success as students and professionals.
The virtual space at the Orientation had the main Stage that showed a documentary, and speeches of the President, Associate Dean, and students. The new students were able to enter into breakout rooms that were: Admissions Office, Academics Office, Student Societies, Campus Life, Sports, Transport, Spatial Chat Support, IT, Scholarship/Finance. Each breakout room had relevant office bearers actively participating in replying to students’ queries. IoBM’s senior students and those holding offices in student societies engaged with the new students in the breakout rooms of ‘Student Societies’ and ‘Campus Life’. They explained IoBM’s exuberant campus life and the role of each society and the activities and events they host. IoBM students who engaged with new students in various breakout rooms were: Hafsa Mudassar and Mohsin Ali Ahmed (Sports); Ishma Ghazanfar and Ammar Vohra (Student Societies); Zeeshan Rabbani and Samiya Tahir (Student Life). The breakout room of Student Life was the most popular place during the Orientation. The new students were eager to know what type of activities, events, conferences, and seminars are held at IoBM and how to become a part of them. With our life gradually returning to normalcy, some events by societies may take place on campus in Fall 2021. Special measures will be taken to follow SOPs and social distancing protocols when students are on campus to take classes and to participate in events.