The International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) has established the Student Development and Placement Cell (SDPC) with the approval of the President IIUI, for a period of two years. The Cell aims to support students in career readiness and professional development. Its activities commenced in Spring 2025, beginning with a series of workshops designed to help students prepare for job market challenges.
As part of its launch, the Cell organized four workshops in May 2025. Two initial sessions were held on May 7 and 8 for female and male students respectively. These were followed by two more workshops titled “How to Win – Preparing for the Day: Before, During, and After the Interview”, conducted on May 26 for male students and May 27 for female students. These sessions focused on interview preparation, communication strategies, professional presentation, and post-interview etiquette.
The workshops featured experienced professionals as guest speakers and mentors. Mr. Khizer Sohail, Head of Business Development (North) at Enrichers Investment Group (EIG) and an alumnus of IIUI, addressed the male students. He shared his journey in the investment sector and offered guidance on resume writing, dress, body language, and handling tough interview questions. Ms. Momina Dar, a human resource and organizational development specialist, conducted the mentoring session. With over 18 years of experience, she led an interactive session covering leadership, ethical recruitment, and personal branding.
For the female session, Mr. Taimur Aziz, Executive Vice President HR & Admin at Nayatel, shared insights from his professional experience in HR leadership. He discussed employer expectations and emphasized communication etiquette and emotional intelligence. The mentoring session was led by Mr. Imran Aziz, Head of HR & Admin at Pakistan LNG Ltd., who drew upon his three decades of experience to offer practical advice on succeeding in interviews and navigating workplace environments.
The female session received support from Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) under its Youth Empowerment Program (YEP). HHRD sponsored the event materials and continues to promote youth development through engagement and capacity-building initiatives in universities.
A total of 248 students participated in the workshops, including 132 male and 116 female students. The sessions encouraged interaction, questions, and personalized feedback, making them both informative and engaging. Ms. Nuzhat Zareen, Director (UAFA), delivered the concluding remarks. She emphasized understanding the psychology behind interviews and encouraged students to treat each interview as an opportunity for growth and self-expression. She urged them to continue improving their communication and presentation skills and to align their goals with organizational values.
The events concluded with the presentation of souvenirs to the guest speakers in recognition of their contributions. The establishment of the Student Development and Placement Cell and its early initiatives mark a significant step in IIUI’s efforts to empower students and enhance their professional preparedness.