RAWALPINDI: Speakers at a conference said digital transformation is an urgent need in the sector of business management and stressed that entrepreneurship should be promoted among the youth.

They were speaking at the concluding ceremony of a two-day international conference on “Breaking boundaries: digital transformation and innovative management science practices” held at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi on Thursday.

The conference was organised by the University Institute of Management Sciences in collaboration with Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS) and Network of Academies of Sciences in Islamic Countries (NASIC).

The aim of the conference was to understand the latest digital transformation trends and their implications for businesses, emphasising the importance of breaking traditional boundaries for organisational success.

Additionally, the event was aimed to bridge the gap between theory and practical applications by providing participants with opportunities to explore various fields, learn about the latest research and discoveries and discuss ideas for implementation. Panel discussions, interactive sessions and keynote addresses took place while 18 speakers, including six from abroad participated online.

HEC Chairman Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, who was chief guest at the concluding session, highlighted how digital innovation was essential for driving efficiency, growth, and competitive advantage in today’s dynamic business environment.

He said no business can survive without digital transformation. He asked universities to focus on transformation of technology and said the Pakistani youth were on top for achieving foreign scholarship.

Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood Khan, Secretary General NASIC, said that research is necessary for innovations and we have to work hard according to the digital era and international standards.

Prof Dr Mohammad Naeem, vice chancellor of the university, expressed the hope that the conference will be helpful in finding opportunities and future directions. He said there was a huge potential in the youth to take the country forward through digitisation. He also said everybody should acquire latest technological skills for capacity building.

Prof Dr Ikram Ali Malik, Director UIMS, said breaking traditional boundaries was the need of the era and highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between academic research and industry. He said we have to find new opportunities in different disciplines and also need to train people for digital transformation.

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2024