A step to fix the tarnished image of Pakistan in the international media, the International Entrepreneurship Summer School (IESS) brought foreign students to Pakistani institutions.
A single step
A step to fix the tarnished image of Pakistan in the international media, the International Entrepreneurship Summer School (IESS) brought foreign students to Pakistani institutions.
Organised by The Centre for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) in IBA Karachi, IESS was a 17-day programme consisting of lectures, workshops, study tours, and recreational visits in Karachi, Islamabad, Murree and Lahore. It was the first time that people from as far as Central Europe came to take a course in a Pakistani institution; these included students from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Sudan, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Likewise, a top class faculty from different parts of the world was arranged.
Field visits to several charity organisations, including the Indus Hospital and Manzil Foundation in Karachi and Akhuwat Microfinance Institute in Lahore unveiled the unique and excellent social entrepreneurship infrastructure of Pakistan. Such visits also exposed the participants to the diverse historical and geographical landscape of Pakistan.
It was not just the picturesque view but also the local culture and the sheer motivation and commitment of people involved in various microfinance and educational activities that impressed the visitors. The troupe paid tribute to the Father of Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and placed a wreath of flowers at his mausoleum. They got a chance, too, to see firsthand Quaid’s cars and belongings that are housed at a local museum in Karachi. Mohatta Palace and Frere Hall were next stops and since the recreational part was an essential part of the course, the students were taken to Port Grand.
Once the classes were over, they caught a flight to Islamabad. During their stay there, they managed to cover Pakistan Monument, Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park. Those who have been there can relate, I think, to the stunned silence that fell over the group when they saw Islamabad from the bird’s eye view on Trail 3.
The destinations after Islamabad were Murree and Nathiagali. The pipeline trail in Dunga Gali was trekked. One of the special moments was their expressions when they were served the famous, finger-licking Patakha Chicken at a dhaba.
Then en-route to Lahore via the motorway, the team explored Taxila Museum; the sites in Lahore being (but not restricted to) Badshahi Mosque, Shalimar Gardens, the Royal Bath and, of course, Wagah Border.
Among all the cities, international students liked Lahore the most due to the beauty of its old Mughal infrastructure. However, it was Karachi they commented to be the ‘real Pakistan’ while Islamabad was termed as ‘very beautiful’ and ‘too clean’.
This summer school was proof that Pakistan is a safe country to travel. Activities like these should be initiated by all types of Pakistani institutions and organisations within their capacity in order to break the shackles of isolation in which we as a nation exist and to ensure Pakistan’s increased participation on international forums, be then international cricket or an educational course.
The writer is an Assistant Professor at IBA, Karachi.
