Karachi, February 14, 2011: The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) invited corporate legend and philanthropist, Syed Babar Ali, to speak on the “The Role of Corporate Citizens as Philanthropists” at the OICCI office in Karachi. The meeting was attended by representatives of OICCI member companies from a diverse range of business sectors.
Syed Babar Ali, the founder of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) emphasized the pressing need and vital importance of developing a culture of corporate volunteerism. He observed that, while many companies including several OICCI members, are active in corporate philanthropy this must be supplemented by corporate executives giving their time as corporate volunteers to worthy causes, and especially to education. He noted that education has never been a priority with any government in Pakistan and it was up to everyone who can help out, to come forward and make a contribution to spreading education in the country, especially to the less privileged children. In this regard he stated that, while funds are always needed at the individual level, everyone should try and contribute in terms of time.
Talking about the National Outreach Programme (NOP) at LUMS, Syed Babar Ali told the participants how this programme was started and how it has expanded to cover all costs of education for talented students from less privileged backgrounds. Supported also by a number of OICCI member companies, the NOP meets all cost of students selected through a competitive, merit-based process, including their tuition fee, accommodation charges, meals expenses and cost of books, and even provides a nominal stipend for other personal expenses.
OICCI President, Ameena Saiyid assured Syed Babar Ali of the continuing support of OICCI member companies to the NOP and informed him that OICCI members’ collective spending on CSR activities is over Rs 1.0 billion per year. These activities cover a number of areas vital for the country’s socio-economic development, and include education, healthcare, environment, and disaster relief.
Syed Babar Ali, the founder of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) emphasized the pressing need and vital importance of developing a culture of corporate volunteerism. He observed that, while many companies including several OICCI members, are active in corporate philanthropy this must be supplemented by corporate executives giving their time as corporate volunteers to worthy causes, and especially to education. He noted that education has never been a priority with any government in Pakistan and it was up to everyone who can help out, to come forward and make a contribution to spreading education in the country, especially to the less privileged children. In this regard he stated that, while funds are always needed at the individual level, everyone should try and contribute in terms of time.
Talking about the National Outreach Programme (NOP) at LUMS, Syed Babar Ali told the participants how this programme was started and how it has expanded to cover all costs of education for talented students from less privileged backgrounds. Supported also by a number of OICCI member companies, the NOP meets all cost of students selected through a competitive, merit-based process, including their tuition fee, accommodation charges, meals expenses and cost of books, and even provides a nominal stipend for other personal expenses.
OICCI President, Ameena Saiyid assured Syed Babar Ali of the continuing support of OICCI member companies to the NOP and informed him that OICCI members’ collective spending on CSR activities is over Rs 1.0 billion per year. These activities cover a number of areas vital for the country’s socio-economic development, and include education, healthcare, environment, and disaster relief.
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