CareerLink’24: Fostering Industry-Academia Collaboration at TUF’s Dynamic Job Fair

The University of Faisalabad, known for its commitment to academic excellence and industry-relevant education, proudly hosted CareerLink24 at both campuses on February 15 & 16, 2024 organized by the Placement Bureau. Over two days, the mega event saw the participation of more than 2,100 recent graduates and final-semester students who gathered to showcase their profiles. Over 75 renowned national and international companies set up their stalls, offering a plethora of job opportunities and internships to the university's graduates.

This initiative resulted in numerous job offers and internship opportunities for the attendees.

Dr Sajjad Arshad, Acting President of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI), and Prof Dr Habib Islam Gaba, Renowned Cardiologist, were the chief guests of the event. Mr Muhammad Haider Amin, Chairman Board of Governors along with Prod Dr Syed Aamir Gilani, Rector, Ms Zahida Maqbool, Registrar, Prof Dr Aman Ullah Malik, Director ORIC, Mr Omer Farooq Qureshi, Manager Placement Bureau, Mr Faisal Zia, President of TUF Alumni Association, heads of various departments, and faculty members were present at the ceremony.

This pivotal event strategically aimed to diminish the divide between academia and industry by fostering impactful interactions. By bringing together students and distinguished professionals, it aimed to create a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, collaborative discussions, and networking opportunities. The overarching goal of the Placement Bureau at TUF was to enhance the practical relevance of academic endeavors, provide students with valuable industry insights, and establish connections that mutually benefit both education and the professional sphere.

In the inaugural session of the event at Amin Campus, Dr Sajjad Arshad, Acting President of FCCI motivated the youth to explore entrepreneurship and business ventures, underscoring their role in driving economic growth.

Prof Dr Habib Islam Gaba, Motivational Trainer praised the career link initiative, emphasizing its exclusive focus on healthcare professions. He remarked, "In the realm of career choices, the healthcare profession stands out for its capacity to make a profound impact on individuals and communities. TUF’s career link provides a valuable gateway for aspiring professionals to channel their efforts towards meaningful contributions in the field of health and wellness."

Mr Muhammad Haider Amin, Chairman BOG, while addressing the audience said, "Success in your career is not just about climbing the ladder; it's about building the staircase. Each step represents a lesson learned, a skill gained, and a challenge overcome."

Professor Dr Syed Aamir Gilani, Rector TUF highlighted the university's commitment to providing quality education and special attention to students' grooming. He emphasized that TUF not only offers academic excellence but also focuses on the holistic development of students.

Four enlightening panel discussions were organized for graduates where industry leaders and experts converged to unravel the secrets of success. The first panel discussion was about "Polished professionalism: Soft skills for stellar careers," aiming to promote professionalism in graduates. The panelist included Dr Amanullah, Mr Asad Iqbal, General Manager HR, Kamal Hosiery, Ms Samia Bukhari CEO, Edex Premium PVT LTD, Mr Omer Nasir, Manager HR, Happilac Paints and, Mr Shahryar Tariq, Area Sales Manager, Philips Morris Pakistan.

The second panel discussion was about "Education and skill relevance," offering a platform to enhance graduates' areas of interest to avail appropriate career opportunities. Panelists included, Mr Waqas Kashif Bajwa, Chief Manager, SBP BSC Faisalabad, MS Sobia Aqeel, Head Industry-Academia Linkages, FWCCI, Mr Ramzan Talib, Chairman CS, GC University, Mr Omar Chattha CEO, Codesghost and, Mr Adeel, President, FITCO

On second day, at Saleem campus, the event was formally inaugurated by Prof Dr Habib Islam Gaba and we also had two panel discussions.

The third panel discussion session focused on “Pakistan's futuristic challenges in the healthcare industry”. This session provided graduates with new approaches to meet the revolutionary challenges in healthcare systems. The panelists included Prof Dr Syed Aamir Gilani, Prof Dr Habib Islam Gaba, Prof Dr Amir Ali Chaudhry, Principal University Medical and Dental College, Prof Dr Muhammad Akram Malik, Vice Principal UMDC and Brig (Retd) Dr Munir Ahmed MS, Madina Teaching Hospital, among other experts. The last panel discussion was about "Competencies in Health Care Professionals," where experts guided Allied Health Sciences graduates in pursuing their professional careers.

Panelists for this discussion included Prof Dr Syed Aamir Gilani, Mr Muhammad Ibrahim, Quality Head at Saffron Pharmaceuticals, Mr Muhammad Muzamil, Director Skims Pharmaceuticals, Dr Muhammad Sajjad, Head of Health Sciences Department at Green International University Lahore, and Mr Tanveer Shahid, Director of Health 360.

These specialized panel discussions added a unique dimension to the CareerLink24 event, providing a deeper understanding of different sectors' intricacies and offering guidance to those aspiring to build careers in this critical field. Mr Muhammad Haider Amin, Chairman BOG visited various booths, engaging in discussions with company representatives. He praised the efforts of the Placement Bureau for providing excellent internship and job opportunities to graduates. Heads of departments, faculty members, and esteemed guests reaffirmed their presence at the event.

Graduates expressed their gratitude to the Placement Bureau for organizing the job fair and acknowledged the university's efforts in providing them with valuable connections and opportunities for internships and employment.

CareerLink24 not only provided a platform for graduates and final-year students to meet the current demands of the industry but also guided them toward opportunities to start their entrepreneurial ventures.

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