FRANCE - LUXEMBOURG - INCEIF (Malaysia) on track to become global university in Islamic finance

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- The International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF) is on track to become a truly global university in Islamic finance going forward.

Its President and Chief Executive Officer Agil Natt said the university would be collaborating with the University of Luxembourg, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Reims Management School in France next year for Islamic finance education.

"These are countries that have muslim minorities. The fact that they are associating with us for Islamic finance education is indeed a good sign," he said in his speech at the Second INCEIF Convocation at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Saturday.

Agil said the INCEIF has already started its Chartered Islamic Finance Performance Professional (CIFP) programme in Bahrain in collaboration with the University of Bahrain.

He said the university is also currently working on accreditation in Iran and Yemen.

INCEIF was set up by Bank Negara Malaysia in March 2006 to develop and enhance human capital in Islamic finance, to meet the growing needs of the global Islamic finance industry.

Meanwhile, the university today conferred the Doctor of Science (Islamic Banking) Honoris Causa to Islamic Development Bank (IDB) President, Dr Ahmed Mohamed Ali Al-Madani.

Ali, 76, received his scroll from the INCEIF Chancellor and Bank Negara Governor, Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz.

A respected figure in the Islamic financial world, Ali has been President of the IDB since its establishment in 1975.

Over the last few years, Ali's wealth of experience and open-minded approach, coupled with the mission of "Khairu Annaas Min Nafa Annas - the best amongst you are those who are beneficial to others" - has led to the establishment of other entities for the alleviation of poverty and eradication of illiteracy, such as the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development.

Today's convocation also saw the graduation of 74 CIFP graduates and seven inaugural Masters in Islamic Finance graduates.

The CIFP is the flagship programme offered by INCEIF which was set up solely to offer post-graduate programmes in Islamic finance.

Source : http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsbusiness.php?id=537798 - Oct 23, 2010