KARACHI: The Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi, commemorated the services and memories of Prof Dr Abdul Wahab, former dean and director IBA, by paying tribute to him at a memorial session on Monday.

Family members, ex-colleagues, members of the board of governors, the academic committee, former deans and directors, and IBA alumni, attended the session to show gratitude towards the deceased.

Dr Farrukh Iqbal addressed the audience on this sombre occasion and said, `we are all gathered here to commemorate the unparalleled services of Dr Abdul Wahab, former dean & director IBA.

He said that Dr Wahab, an institute within himself, was an exemplary dean who played an instrumental role in the evolution of IBA.

Dr Wahab was known for his determined attitude towards education. Under his leadership, IBA emerged as the leading educational institute of the country. He had a penchant for discipline and set an example by refusing to act submissively in front of higher authorities on many occasions.

It was pointed out that Dr Wahab com-pleted his early education in India, did his graduation from Sindh Madrasa Arts and Commerce College, Karachi, in 1958, and after completing his MBA from IBA, he joined the institute as a faculty member. He was later appointed as director from June 1984 to April1995, and then from November 1996 to July 1999.

During his decades-long educational career, Dr Wahab also served as vice chancellor of the Karachi University (KU) and as president of the Muhammad Ali Jinnah University (MAJU).

Shedding light on his many merits, Dr Iqbal said that Dr Wahab was a man of principles and was awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) 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 also authored a book titled Sarkari Idaroun Ki Islah. A prominent incident highlighted in the book was when he deprived his own son of admission in IBA for not meeting the merit criteria.Those who knew him were aware of how particular he was about following rules and regulations; there were never any exceptions.

On behalf of IBA Karachi, Dr Iqbal extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and friends.

A video tribute by the ICT department was showcased to highlight the many achievements of Dr Wahab.

Reliving old memories, visiting faculty member 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 by guiding and providing him recommendations.

Dr Syed Irfan Haider, dean IoBM and an IBA alumnus, remembered Dr Wahab with a befitting tribute and said it was an honour to talk about a personality who they as students at IBA always looked up to and admired.

He said that Dr A bdul Wahab was a ray of hope and determination for educational institutions in the 1980`s, when many educational institutions were heavily politicised.-APP