Bank Nizwa partners with SQU to offer Islamic finance summer programme

MUSCAT: Bank Nizwa, in collaboration with Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), is offering a summer programme on the fundamentals and principles of Islamic finance. The two-week programme, which started on August 21, includes a series of lectures and workshops conducted in association with experts and industry veterans from the bank. A number of field visits will also be organized for the students to visit the Central Bank of Oman (CBO), Capital Market Authority (CMA), Collage of Banking and Financial Studies (CBFS) and the Ministry of Endowment and Religious Affairs among others.

Dr Ashraf Nabhan al Nabhani, General-Manager Corporate Support at Bank Nizwa, said, “Through this collaboration with SQU, we are aiming to bring Islamic finance to a new generation of Omanis and provide them with a solid understanding and overview of the industry and what it offers whether on a personal or professional front. With 50 per cent of Oman’s population under the age of 25, it is essential to harness the power of youth in order to fully maximise the potential of the Sultanate’s growing Islamic finance industry.”

The programme will provide a complete overview of Islamic finance, its concepts, values and instruments. Topics will include detailed analysis of Islamic based accounting, the differences between conventional and Shari’a-compliant economics, investments under Islamic finance, Sukuk, as well as the role of Shari’a Advisory Boards in Islamic banks to name but a few. In addition, the field visits will facilitate first-hand experience on the operations of an Islamic finance organization, providing students with the opportunity to network and learn from Oman’s leading financial experts.