The Institute of Business Administration (IBA) at the University of Sindh organized Fest 2025 on Tuesday under the theme “Cross-cultural communication and leadership style,” where students representing diverse cultures of the country set up stalls showcasing regional foods, jewelry, books written in different languages, cultural attire and various leadership concepts.

The event was organized by a faculty member Dr. Tania Mushtaque along with her students and was inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Fateh Muhammad Marri and Commissioner Hyderabad Division Fayaz Hussain Abbasi. PVC Main Campus Dr. Abdul Sattar Shah, Dean Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration Dr. Javed Chandio, Registrar Mushtaque Ali Jariko, Dr Arfana Begum Mallah, Dr Tania Mushtaque, Dr. Farhan Zaib, Dr. Nizamuddin Channa, Dr. Abdul Sami Shaikh, Dr. Intizar Ali Lashari, Dr. KB Shah, Dr. Ayesha Syed and many other faculty members attended the ceremony.

More than 30 stalls were set up where students displayed breakfast items from Karachi, Hyderabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta, various traditional eateries, handmade products and other cultural items.

The Vice-Chancellor and the Commissioner visited each stall, interacted with students and expressed satisfaction over their enthusiasm and creativity in promoting cross-cultural communication and leadership learning.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Fateh Muhammad Marri said the festival highlighted the power of cultural diversity and its importance in strengthening social harmony.

He said such activities enhanced students’ communication skills, leadership abilities and confidence and the University of Sindh would continue to promote academic and cultural initiatives that built global awareness among youth.

He added that understanding different cultures encouraged empathy, unity and responsible leadership and appreciated the efforts of students and faculty for creating an inclusive learning environment.

Commissioner Hyderabad Fayaz Hussain Abbasi told the media that cross-cultural communication was essential for effective leadership in today’s interconnected world.

He said events like Fest 2025 inspired students to engage beyond regional boundaries, learn from one another and develop a broader national perspective.

He praised the students for representing Pakistan’s cultural richness and noted that leadership grew when individuals understood diverse values and backgrounds.

Later, the Commissioner, accompanied by the Vice-Chancellor visited the Institute of English Language and Literature, where he took a class and delivered an interactive and motivational lecture. His talk encouraged students to think critically about their future goals and helped many of them consider new academic and professional pathways.

The VC and Commissioner also paid a visit to the Dr MA Kazi Institute of Chemistry on the invitation of its director Professor Dr Arfana Begum Mallah and interacted with the students.