Participants of the 7th International Applied Business Research Conference (IABRC) at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) have agreed that steps are needed to increase exports, enhance data driven governance, and accelerate digital transformation for the swift development of the country.

Policymakers, industrial experts and research scholars participated in the conference to share thoughts and experiences on the themes of finance, technology management, entrepreneurship, management and marketing in the light of digital transformation and other contemporary advancements and needs of the field.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Imarat Group and Garana.com Shafiq Akbar discussed the real estate potential and digital transformation in Pakistan. He opined that human resources and real estate can help Pakistan make swift progress. He pointed out trapped investment in real estate and its negative impact. He suggested that digitisation of the real estate sector through regulation is the need of hour.

Adviser in the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Awais Ahmed said that incubation centres in Pakistani universities have true capacity which needs to be utilized.

Awais said digital transformation is an urgent need in the sector of business management. He also talked about initiatives of the HEC including e-books, smart class rooms, digital library, educational TV and online education.

Prof Dr Muhammad Masoom Yasinzai, Rector of IIUI, while addressing the inaugural session, said that business management graduates must be job providers instead of job seekers. He stressed that entrepreneurship must be promoted among the youth. He also urged women to come forward in entrepreneurship.

Dr Masoom said the business world is witnessing tremendous shifts due to emerging trends in technology. He opined that no business can survive presently without digital transformation. He also added that everybody should acquire latest technological skills for capacity building.

Dr Ayaz Afsar, Vice President (Academics) of IIUI, said the conference was a vibrant attempt to bring together academicians, research scholars, policymakers, and industrial experts for collaborative research and experience sharing.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk