June 2021 – Newswire Pakistan

June 30, 2021

Survey Projects Demand for Business School Graduates to Rebound in Post-Pandemic Era

9 in 10 corporate recruiters bullish on MBA hiring and salary premium fueled by technology sector growth

RESTON, Va., June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Graduate Management Admission Council™ (GMAC™), a global association of leading graduate business schools, today released its annual 2021 Corporate Recruiters Survey. The report found that corporate recruiters project a robust demand for business school graduates, with nine in ten of them expecting it to increase or remain stable in the next five years. In addition, a higher proportion of recruiters in 2021 (37%) expect the demand to increase than that in the previous year (30%), with more than half of the European recruiters (54%) sharing such a view compared to their Asian (32%) and American (34%) counterparts.

“In a little more than a decade, the proportion of surveyed recruiters planning to hire MBA graduates has grown significantly, a trend especially notable in Europe, where the percentage jumped from 44 percent in 2010 to nearly twice as much (86%) in 2021, and in the United States, where it grew from 56 percent to 94 percent, a 68 percent increase,” said Sangeet Chowfla, president and CEO of GMAC. “As corporations recover from the pandemic and rebuild their workforces, it is no surprise that business school graduates ― with their leadership and managerial skills in high demand ― are specially strengthened in their value proposition as an employee and uniquely positioned to meet today’s economic challenges.”

Key Findings

MBA salary and hiring are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels

In 2020, the projected MBA median salary reached an all-time high of $115,000 before COVID-19 severely disrupted the global economy and caused it to drop down to $105,000 three months into the pandemic. However, the median MBA salary for 2021 is projected to recover to its pre-pandemic 2020 level of $115,000. At this rate, the median salary of MBA graduates is 77 percent more than those with a bachelor’s degree ($65,000) and 53 percent higher as compared to those hired directly from industry ($75,000). This salary premium shows that investing in an MBA credential continues to pay off over the time, helping an MBA graduate earn $3 million more in his or her lifetime than someone holding only a bachelor’s degree. GMAC’s own mba.com offers a helpful tool to calculate the return of investment (ROI) for business school graduates.

Before the pandemic, 92 percent of recruiters indicated they were planning to hire MBA graduates in 2020. However, the disruptions caused by COVID-19 adversely affected those plans, and hence the actual hiring of MBA graduates (80%) was lower than 2020 projections. Looking ahead, the proportion of recruiters planning to hire MBAs in 2021 (91%) returns to the same level as pre-pandemic 2020 (92%). The MBA hiring projections exhibit strength across key regions and industries. Specifically, 95 percent of the recruiters in the consulting sector, an industry in most demand by MBA graduates, are projecting to hire them—a reversal from the 2020 actual hiring of 76%.

Technology sector embraces MBA graduates for hiring and promotion

According to survey respondents, demand for MBA graduates by the technology industry is anticipated to increase by 10 percentage points in 2021 compared to pre-pandemic 2020. In fact, with 96 percent of tech recruiters projecting to hire MBA graduates in 2021, the demand for MBA talents tops the previous three years. The data also show that two in three (68%) recruiters in the technology sector agree that leaders in their organizations tend to have a graduate business school education—an increase of 11 percentage points from 2020 (57%).

“Technology companies are placing a high value on leaders who are not just technically skilled, but also have strong strategic, interpersonal, communication and decision-making skills, as well as an understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion and sustainability in their organizations – these will be critical to driving organizational growth and innovation,” said Peter Johnson, Assistant Dean of UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. “These core skills represent the signature business schools are imbuing in graduates from their MBA and business master’s programs.”

Perceptions of online programs are mixed depending on region, sector

Online programs have been gaining traction in recent years. According to GMAC data, 50 more online MBA programs accepted GMAT scores in the testing year (TY) 2020 as compared to five years earlier in TY 2016. In addition, 84 percent of online MBA programs reported an increase in applications in GMAC’s 2020 Application Trends Survey.

However, when corporate recruiters were asked about their level of agreement with the statement “My organization values graduates of online and in-person programs equally,” only one-third (34%) of them agreed. In terms of industries, recruiters from the finance and accounting industry (41%) are more likely to view graduates of online programs as equal to their on-campus peers, compared to their recruiting counterparts in consulting (25%) or technology (28%). As online programs are clearly a fast-growing area of graduate management education, the sustainability of demand will require a higher level of acceptance by employers, particularly when GMAC’s latest candidate research suggests a similar disparity in terms of perception of online versus in-person programs.

“As business schools continue to evolve modalities and more candidates are able to access MBA and business master’s programs through online delivery, this presents the graduate management education community with an opportunity to align expectations and outcomes for graduates and corporate recruiters,” said Chowfla.

About the Survey

GMAC has been conducting the Corporate Recruiter Survey on behalf of the graduate management education community since 2001. This year’s survey, administered in partnership with the Association of MBAs (AMBA), the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD), MBA Career Services & Employer Alliance (MBA CSEA), and career services offices at participating graduate business schools worldwide, received 529 responses between February 25 – March 31, 2021. More details of the full report, and other research series produced by GMAC, are available on gmac.com.

About GMAC™

The Graduate Management Admission Council™ (GMAC™) is a mission-driven association of leading graduate business schools worldwide. Founded in 1953, GMAC creates solutions and experiences that enable business schools and candidates to better discover, evaluate, and connect with each other.

GMAC provides world-class research, industry conferences, recruiting tools, and assessments for the graduate management education industry, as well as tools, resources, events, and services that help guide candidates through their higher education journey. Owned and administered by GMAC, the Graduate Management Admission Test™ (GMAT™) exam is the most widely used graduate business school assessment.

GMAC also owns and administers the NMAT by GMAC™ (NMAT™) exam and the Executive Assessment (EA). More than 7 million candidates on their business master’s or MBA journey visited GMAC’s mba.com last year to explore business school options, prepare and register for exams, and get advice on the admissions process. BusinessBecause and The MBA Tour are subsidiaries of GMAC, a global organization with offices in China, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

To learn more about our work, please visit www.gmac.com

Media Contact:

Teresa Hsu
Sr. Manager, Media Relations
202-390-4180 (mobile)
thsu@gmac.com

June 30, 2021July 1, 2021

Pakistan’s rise in world baseball rankings

Lahore, June 30, 2021 (PPI-OT):The efforts of Pakistan Federation Baseball began to bear fruit and Pakistan’s ranking improve from 27th to 26th position in the new baseball world rankings. The President of Pakistan Federation Baseball Syed Fakhar Ali Shah informed that according to the new Baseball World Rankings released by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), Pakistan has moved up one place from 27th to 26th position.

He said that in the last two years, due to Covid-19, many baseball events have been postponed or their dates have been extended. Due to which Pakistan’s baseball teams could not participate in international events. Even in Pakistan, there are no sports activities. But despite the fact that Pakistan has been regularly participating in youth, women’s and men’s international baseball events and Pakistani players have been performing well in these competitions, that’s why Pakistan step up in the new world rankings.

In this regard, Fakhar Shah said that Pakistan is located in Asia and three Asian countries Japan, Taiwan and Korea are in the top three in the world rankings. As per new World Rankings, Japan is World No. 1, Taiwan is World No. 2 and Korea is World No. 3. Compared to the facilities and resources available to baseball in these countries, if you look at Pakistan, Pakistan does not even have a baseball ground to play regularly, yet Pakistan is ranked fifth in Asia. Fakhar Shah added that there is a lot of talent of baseball in Pakistan and if the government provides facilities and Baseball Ground, Pakistan’s ranking can be further improved.

For more information, contact:
Pakistan Federation Baseball
Punjab Stadium, Ferozepur Road,
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel. +92-42-353-41121
Fax + 92-42-357-11828
E-mail: pakistanfederationbaseball@hotmail.com

June 30, 2021July 1, 2021

MoU signed between the Islamia University of Bahawalpur Pakistan and Kohsar University Murree

Bahawalpur, June 30, 2021 (PPI-OT):Prof. Dr. Athar Mahboob, Vice Chancellor, Islamia University Bahawalpur, Prof. Dr. Jawad Iqbal, Dean Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof. Dr. Aftab Hussain Gillani, Dean Faculty of Law and Dr. M. Imran Rasheed, Head of Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management visited the Kohsar University Murree (KUM).

On this occasion Prof. Dr. Syed Habib Bukhari, Vice Chancellor and administration of Kohsar University Murree welcomed the participants. The two Vice Chancellors signed an MoU of cooperation and collaboration between the both institutes and agreed to enhance the cooperation and to start the students and faculty exchange specifically in the areas of tourism and hospitality management education and training.

For more information, contact:
The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB)
University Chowk, Gulshan Colony, Bahawalpur,
Punjab – 63100, Pakistan
Tel: +92-62-9250235
Fax: +92-62-9250335
E-mail: info@iub.edu.pk
Website: https://www.iub.edu.pk/

June 30, 2021July 1, 2021

International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi signs MoU with German University

Karachi, June 30, 2021 (PPI-OT):International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi (UoK) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Eberhard Karls University Tubingen, Germany.

The ICCBS Spokesman on Wednesday said that the MOU was signed in an online meeting held recently. Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Director of the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, and COMSTECH Coordinator-General, and Prof. Dr. Michael Bamberg, the Managing Director of the University Hospital Tubingen signed the MoU on behalf of their institutions. It is pertinent to mention here that the faculty of medicine of the Eberhard Karls University of Tubingen is one of the four founding faculties of the University of Tubingen.

According to the spokesman, the MOU aims to establish a mutually beneficial relationship built on academic, scientific, and cultural cooperation. Areas of cooperation between the Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Faculty of Medicine, Germany, and the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi (ICCBS) include the exchange of faculty professors, researchers, students, publications, academic programs, and research projects, the spokesman said.

For more information, contact:
Public Relations Officer,
University of Karachi
Tel: +92-21-99261351 (Ext. 2294, 2306)
Fax: +92-21-99261330
Email: pro@uok.edu.pk
Website: www.uok.edu.pk

June 30, 2021July 1, 2021

Webinar along with Pakistan Nuclear Society and Ministry of Foreign Affairs conducted

Lahore, June 30, 2021 (PPI-OT):Pakistan Nuclear Society in collaboration with the Virtual University of Pakistan along with Pakistan Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a webinar titled “Science Diplomacy” which was attended by hundreds of students and professionals from all over the world. The webinar started with the recitation from the Holy Quran. President Pakistan Nuclear society Dr. Imtinan Elahi Qureshi formerly welcomed all the guest and participants.

While speaking on the occasion Rector, Virtual University of Pakistan, Professor Dr. Arshad Saleem Bhatti said, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of IT and Telecom and Universities are key partners in science diplomacy. He said as a think tank we need to analyze our research-based approach towards science diplomacy.

To address National and global challenges most of the developed countries have initiated science diplomacy forum not only for their own benefits but also to help developing countries. Some of the examples are Full Bright scholarship and Erasmus Mundus scholarship, our students must avail these opportunities to rise in the field of science.

Distinguished National Professor, National Centre for Physics, Professor Dr. Muhammad Aslam Baig through light on “Bridging Gaps through Science Diplomacy; Pakistan’s Perspective”. He said that there are three types of science diplomacy which include science for diplomacy, science in diplomacy and diplomacy for science. Among these three diplomacies, Diplomacy for Science is the most important and best example for this is ICTP, CERN and ITER.

Our main objective under science diplomacy forum is to bring diplomat and scientist under one umbrella. He said that most of the countries are integrating science into their foreign policy. He also raised a point that coordination between foreign policy and International Agencies is quite important and critical. Science diplomacy should be used to express national power or influence in equipping decision makers with information to support policy and to enhance bilateral and multilateral relations, he added.

Director General (ACDIS), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muhammad Kamran Akhtar Malik spoke on Pakistan’s Perspective on Science Diplomacy. He said that throughout history scientific advancements have been shaping and transforming powers of states relative to each other. He said the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, defines the functions of diplomats, which among other things, include promotion of scientific relations between states.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs has certain advantages in terms of scientific collaboration at the international level as well as bringing stakeholders together at the national level. He told the audience that Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established a group on vaccine production which will be looking at various options for improving Pakistan’s access to vaccines through international collaborations.

He said, government has also announced 3 million dollars covid-19 assistance for SAARC countries and Government of Pakistan was providing COVID19 related assistance to SAARC countries including equipment such as ventilators and CPAP machines as a part of the science diplomacy initiative.

Professor. Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of Science and Technology Sector, ISESCO, Morocco shared his views on Science Diplomacy in the era of COVID-19. He said ISESCO is UNESCO of Islamic world, the main focus of ISESCO is the capacity building of Muslim students. He said, we recently announced a prize money of hundred thousand US dollars for those scientists who will develop covid-19 vaccine or any therapy to cure this disease. He said for capacity building, we are also forming a partnership with NASA and space foundation of United States of America.

President Pakistan Nuclear Society Dr. Imtinan Elahi Qureshi presented his viewpoint on Science Diplomacy-The Global Scenario. He briefly described the actions taken worldwide to implement science diplomacy agenda, evolution of conceptional framework of science diplomacy, upcoming issues and disruptive technologies that would warrant more and more use of science diplomacy tools globally.

Science is always good, but it is not always used for good purpose. Science diplomacy should be used globally but keeping the national interest in mind too, he added. The webinar on science diplomacy was moderated by Dr. Shazia Fatima executive member Pakistan Nuclear Society. At the end of the webinar Ms. Rubina Ali General Manager Marketing, Virtual University gave vote of thanks. Later, souvenirs were awarded among the speakers.

For more information, contact:
Virtual University of Pakistan (VU)
M.A. Jinnah Campus, Defence Road, Off Raiwind Road,
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-880-880
Fax: +92-42-99200604, +92-42-99202174
Website: www.vu.edu.pk

June 30, 2021July 1, 2021

IUB organized a webinar on Ecosystem Restoration and Resetting of our Relationship with Nature

Bahawalpur, June 30, 2021 (PPI-OT):The Islamia University of Bahawalpur organized a webinar in connection with World Environment Day on Ecosystem Restoration and Resetting of our Relationship with Nature with the joint collaboration of Department of Political Science, Office of Green Campus program and IUB Environmental Protection Society. Dr Abid Rashid Gill director Green Campus program organized and moderated the session.

The Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Athar Mahboob delivered the inaugural remarks regarding the importance of this day and briefed the participants about IUB initiatives for sustainable environment. The keynote speakers of this webinar were Prof. Dr. K. Kuperan Viswananthan from Malaysia, Dr. Kamala Kanta Dash from India, Dr. Mussarat Amin from Pakistan. Prof. Dr. Rubina Bhatti, Dean Faculty of Social sciences conclude the session. Prof. Dr. Mussawar Hussain Bukhari Chairman Department of Political Science paid the vote of thanks to all participants. Advisor IUB Environmental Protection Society Dr. Muhammad Abdullah and society students also participated this session.