Photo: Collected
The Institute of Islamic Banking, Finance and Economics (IIBFE) of United International University (UIU) and Prime Bank PLC jointly organised a workshop on Islamic Banking and Finance at UIU Campus yesterday. The day-long seminar will raise awareness about Islamic banking and finance in general, its Hasana program in particular, and engage students by sharing guidelines on career opportunities. This marked the first event of IIBFE, UIU, since its inception.
More than 100 students participated in the workshop through online registration. During the workshop, the participating students learned about the history of Islamic Banking and Finance over the past fifty years, beginning with the launch of the first full-fledged Islamic bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, in 1975; the development of Islamic Banking and ` the Bangladeshi context since the early 1980s; the concepts and applications of Shariah compliance; various Shariah-compliant modes and products; Prime Bank's Hasana line of products; and career opportunities for students and the relevant preparations required.
The event began at 9 a.m. with opening remarks by the Founding Director of IIBFE, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq. He welcomed the guests and participants to this inaugural event of IIBFE, introducing the Institute and the context of its establishment at UIU.
He underscored the tremendous potential, especially in the context of the new Bangladesh and the importance of fostering dynamic interaction between IIBFE and the Islamic finance industry to build the desired human resource capacity collaboratively.
In the opening session, the speakers included Mr Nazeem Anwar Choudhury (Deputy Managing Director, Prime Bank), Dr Muhammad Amir Hossain (Director, Statistics, Bangladesh Bank), and the Vice Chancellor of UIU, Prof. Dr Md. Abul Kashem Miah. Mr Nazeem acknowledged the steady growth of Islamic financial products and services in Bangladesh and highlighted Prime Bank's pioneering role as the first Islamic Window in the country.
Prof. Kashem Miah welcomed the participants and expressed optimism about IIBFE's potential to address the gap in academic support for the Islamic Finance industry in Bangladesh, contrasting the country's situation with nations with a robust Islamic Finance ecosystem.
Professor Farooq and Professor Kashem Miah thanked Prime Bank PLC for its proactive role in collaborating with IIBFE to enhance awareness and engage students in capacity-building initiatives for Bangladesh's Islamic Banking and Finance sector.
The workshop comprised four sessions led by Professor Dr Mohammad Omar Farooq (Founding Director, IIBFE); Dr Mohabbat Hossain (Associate Professor, Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management); Mr Syed Ibne Shariar (Head of Islamic Banking, Prime Bank PLC); and Mr Zulqar Nayn (Executive Director on PRL and former Head of Bangladesh Bank Training Academy, Bangladesh Bank).
The workshop concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Prof. Farooq featuring the guest speakers. Participating students received certificates of participation. Abir Hasan Jisan, a student from the Department of Economics, was specially recognised for his valuable contribution during the panel discussion.
Messenger/JRTarek
