Dr Abdul Wahab was known for his determined attitude towards education. Under his leadership, the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) emerged as one of the leading educational institutes in the country. He had a penchant for discipline and set an example by refusing to act submissively in front of the higher authority on many occasions.
These views were expressed by IBA Dean and Director Dr Farrukh Iqbal during a memorial session, held in the G&T Auditorium, to commemorate the services and memories of Dr Abdul Wahab, former IBA dean and director.
Followed by Tilawat-e-Quran, Farrukh Iqbal said, “We are all gathered here to commemorate the unparalleled services of Dr Abdul Wahab. He was an institute within himself and an exemplary dean who played an instrumental role in IBA’s evolution.”
He informed the audience that Dr Wahab completed his early education in India, completed his graduation from the Sindh Madrassah Arts and Commerce College, Karachi, in 1958 and after completing his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the IBA, he joined the institute as a faculty member and was later appointed as the IBA director from June 1984 to April 1995 and then from November 1996 to July 1999.
During his decades-long educational career, Dr Abdul Wahab served as the vice chancellor of the Karachi University and as president of the Muhammad Ali Jinnah University (MAJU), he added.
Shedding light on his many merits, Dr Farrukh said that Dr Wahab was a man of his principles and was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz for his educational services. The ‘Order of the Rising Sun’, Japan’s second-highest award, was also conferred upon him by the Emperor and Prime Minister of Japan for his distinguished contribution to education.
“Dr Wahab authored a book titled “Sarkari Idaroun Ki Islah”; a prominent incident highlighted in the book was when he didn’t let his own son getting an admission in the IBA for not meeting the merit criteria. Those who knew him were aware that how particular he was about following rules and regulations – there were never any exceptions.”
On behalf of the IBA Karachi, Dr Farrukh extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and friends and prayed that Almighty Allah grant them fortitude to bear this loss and that Dr. Wahab’s soul be granted with eternal peace.
A video tribute by the ICT department was showcased to highlight the many achievements of Dr Wahab.
Reliving old memories, visiting faculty IBA, Mirza Sardar commented upon the long association that he had with Dr Wahab, in the capacity of a teacher, mentor, guide and boss. He said that Dr Wahab always encouraged and appreciated his students and had helped Mirza promptly in form of guidance and provision of recommendations.
Dr Syed Irfan Haider, CBM Dean and an IBA alumnus, remembered Dr Wahab with a befitting tribute and said it was an honour to talk about a personality, which as students at IBA, they always looked up to and admired.
He said that Dr Abdul Wahab was a ray of hope and determination for educational institutions in the 1980’s, when many educational institutions were heavily politicised. And in those trying times, Dr Wahab not only withheld the high standards of the IBA but also set an example for all the other institutions that how to not back down in the face of adversity.
He further said that Dr Wahab was amongst those who sincerely believed that the IBA’s integrity, high standards and sovereignty must be withheld under any circumstances. Dr Wahab inculcated the values of punctuality, attendance and no cheating in the students at a time of political wilderness.
An old associate of Dr Wahab and a former IBA employee, Mohammad Anwar, talked about his 36-year-old association with the deceased. He said that Dr Wahab never bowed down in front of higher authority and was a courageous person. He narrated many incidents where Dr Wahab acted bravely in highly perilous situations for upholding the IBA’s principles and did not even back down when he received numerous death threats.
Adding a personal note to the memorial, Dr Wahab’s son, Babar thanked the attendees for their presence and said that his father was a man of public appearance and would have appreciated this memorial by his staff.
He said that Dr Wahab had a 20-year-long association with his staff and that his life’s ambition was striving for excellence.
He also said that Dr Wahab believed in leaving behind a legacy of greatness.
Sham Us Zoha, senior manager corporate affairs, also held the deceased in high esteem and narrated many fond memories.
Zoha said that Dr Wahab treated all his employees equally and made it a point to attend weddings and funerals of his employees even after leaving IBA.
The event came to a conclusion with the attendees extending condolences to Dr Wahab’s family and remembering the many merits of the courageous man.
The audience comprised of family members, IBA faculty members, and former deans and directors of the IBA