IBA COVID-19 Fee Relief Campaign

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Many students in Pakistan have been impelled to give up university career for lack of funds after the country’s COVID-19 emergency. Family incomes are suffering, predominantly owing to the current situation of the job market.

Request for Tuition Fee Reduction

The course, speed, and magnitude of events have left us dazed. The rapid spread of coronavirus has influenced nearly every aspect of normal life. Besides, layoffs have adversely affected the students bearing full tuition. IBA has remained silent on its next course of action for the new academic year to the much dismay of students, who contend that their tuition fees should be significantly reduced in light of the pandemic.

COVID-19 emergency has only raised the profile of this deepening problem. Meanwhile, the continuation of online teaching until the end of summer is inevitable. This is a notable revolution for the educational institutions in Pakistan, where learning is heavily based on in-class participation.

Many universities and institutions are reluctant to curb tuition fees despite lost classes since the March shutdown. Tertiary educational institutions argue that the higher costs of distance education ought to be met by the accelerated fund infusion. However, students call attention to their inability to score formal internships or employment.

Financial Assistance for Students

Even though some students received financial assistance from IBA, the authorities must promise a broader package of support for other enrollees. Academics believe the possibility of COVID-19 as an incredible opportunity for the universities to strengthen online teaching and learning framework. Moreover, the introduction of wider reforms for the higher education system can help achieve quality online education, for instance.

On the contrary, peer universities across the world have reduced tuition fees by a considerable amount. This relaxation has eased the financial burden on students and their families during these trying times.

The students currently enrolled at IBA are unable to benefit from an assortment of on-campus facilities. These include computer labs, gyms, and the library. Besides, the structural running costs of both the campuses may have come to a halt since the lockdown. Students must receive some relief on that portion of the fees.

Requested Reimbursements

We would like to bring to IBA’s attention the students’ rights to reimbursement of charges pertaining to security, lab, student activity, and development. Much to our dismay, IBA students are not yet entitled to reimbursement despite the incompetent quality of the online educational framework. In addition, the students could no longer be accommodated at the IBA hostel or avail IBA transport service. Therefore, these students must be rightfully entitled to, at the very least, partial hostel and transport fee refunds.  

IBA COVID-19 Fee Relief Campaign Form

To conclude, we urge the current enrollees to complete the form attached below or here. So that we can make the COVID-19 Fee Relief Campaign a success. Meanwhile, we assure you that your response will be thoroughly recorded and conveyed to the IBA Executive Director’s office.

Immense gratitude to Mohammad Hamza Malik for technical assistance.

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