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CONTENT OVERVIEW
Since last decade the number of academic and knowledge services providers for Islamic Finance industry have increased
significantly in order to bridge the demand and supply gap and also to tap into the profit opportunity from a burgeoning
economic sector. There has not been any comprehensive analysis of the education sector of this industry as to where it
stands today in terms of knowledge and research based innovation. GIFE 2013 is a ground breaking initiative in that regard
that brings about critical insight to gauge the current status as well as the future outlook, critical challenges facing
the harmonious and long term growth of this flourishing economic sector.
GIFE 2013 is a special and timely report that explores the distribution of Islamic Economics and Finance education across
the world by using several metrics such as the number of Islamic Finance education providers, geographic distribution,
language of instruction, delivery method, type of programs, intellectual vs. skill based programs etc.
According to our research data, we concluded that 85% of the educational initiatives within Islamic Finance industry are
potential contributors towards professional development and only 15% of the initiatives are potential contributors of research
and developments.
Among the key challenges facing Islamic Economics and Finance education are lack of quality human resources,
insufficient quality initiatives in research and development, lack of comprehensive curriculum and international standard
textbooks, and lack of funding. As the Islamic Economic and Finance industry set to become part of the mainstream
economy and financial system urgent strategic steps are necessary to resolve the challenges set forth in this report.
WHAT ARE IFEKSP (ISLAMIC FINANCE EDUCATION & KNOWLEDGE
SERVICES PROVIDERS)?
For the purpose of this research, we defined IFEKSP (Islamic Finance Education and Knowledge Services
Providers) as organizations that provide any one or more of the following in the subjects of ‘Islamic Economics’
and/or ‘Islamic Finance’:
Certification
Primary Data
Secondary Data
Our secondary research was conducted through web based search,
and sourced from institution websites, news and information services,
directories, press releases, and published interviews.
95% of our research data are from this category and all of them are
from publicly available sources.
Scope Limitations
The scope of our research is broader than Countries that restrict access of information,
any other previous researches conducted could not be covered to obtain accurate and
on Islamic Finance education. comprehensive status. For example, Iran may
have more institutions that offer Islamic
Our research included both academic and Finance courses, but due to limited access,
non-academic institutions. only publicly viewable data were included.
This may not give a true picture of the state of
It covered the entire world and not just any Islamic Finance education in such countries
specific segment or region. which may also reflect on the global
distribution.
All our data were collected from publicly
available published sources. Any data that is As new courses are being offered every year,
not available publicly were not included in this and recent years experienced significant
report. boom in IF education, we cannot guarantee
data accuracy and comprehensiveness at
the time of publication of this report.
Academic Universities, Colleges, Higher Learning Institutions that offer academic courses
Non-Academic Institutions offering non-academic courses such as training, workshop, seminars, and research that are
academic in nature
Intellectual Programs that potentially contribute towards research and innovation. Dedicated degree programs,
PhD, dedicated research fall under this category.
Skill Based Programs and courses that potentially contribute towards professional development and skill building
for the Islamic Financial institutions. Training, workshops, short courses, elective/major courses fall
under this category.
Distant Learning Courses that are delivered as self –study, live online modules, recorded web based learning, research
based studies
In-Class Courses and lessons conducted in class at a designated location
DDP (Dedicated Degree Program) Bachelors degree, masters degree, PhD, MBA
LTD (Leading to Degree) Elective and major courses under dedicated degree programs
ISC (Independent Short Course) Short courses that are not part of any degree program, non-credit courses
C Certification: Non degree certification courses offered by public and private, non-
profit and for profit organizations
T Training: individual and corporate training by public and private organizations for skill
building (both non-profit and for profit institutions)
S/A Seminar and awareness programs offered by academic, research and public
institutions
W Workshops conducted by academic, research and financial institutions for skill
building
R Research conducted by academic, non-profit, government, and private
organizations with primary activity listed as research for Islamic Finance
5 6
4 North America
8%
Asia
Middle East & 43%
North Africa 1
19%
3
Europe
22%
2
Asia, home of the largest
Muslim population hosts
43% of global IFEKSP
Global Islamic Finance Education 2013 10
DISTRIBUTION OF ISLAMIC FINANCE EDUCATION & KNOWLEDGE
SERVICE PROVIDERS BY COUNTRY
Afghanistan 3 India 28 Philippines 5
Algeria 1 Indonesia 31 Qatar 4
Australia 16 Iran 2 Russia 6
Azerbaijan 1 Iraq 1 Saudi Arabia 19
Bahrain 20 Ireland 8 Seychelles 1
Bangladesh 22 Italy 5 Singapore 15
Belgium 2 Japan 4 South Africa 8
Bosnia & Herzegovina 3 Jordan 6 Spain 5
Brunei 4 Kazakhstan 1 Sri Lanka 8
Cambodia 1 Kenya 6 Sudan 5
Canada 15 Kuwait 7 Sweden 3
China 1 Lebanon 9 Switzerland 6
Cyprus 1 Libya 3 Taiwan 2
Denmark 3 Luxembourg 5 Tanzania 3
Egypt 9 Malaysia 86 The Netherlands 2
Finland 1 Maldives 3 Tunisia 4
France 12 Mauritius 6 Turkey 12
Gambia 2 Morocco 3 Uganda 1
Germany 7 Nepal 1 United Arab Emirates 43
Ghana 2 Nigeria 11 United Kingdom 86
Hong Kong 8 Oman 7 United States 44
Hungary 2 Pakistan 88 Yemen 3
Pakistan 88
Malaysia 86
United Kingdom 86
United States 44
Pakistan tops the chart with 88 institutions
United Arab Emirates 43 that offer education and knowledge services
in Islamic Finance in the country. 74 of these
Indonesia 31 are academic and 14 are non-academic
Institutions.
India 28 Malaysia and United Kingdom come second
with 86 institutions offering Islamic Finance
Bangladesh 22 education and knowledge services.
74 Pakistan Malaysia 38
24 Indonesia Bahrain 13
14 India Bangladesh 9
Non-Academic 286
Academic Non-Academic
4%
47%
49%
Data 2012
95%
700
95% of the
600 institutions deliver
their Islamic Finance
500
programs in English
400
200 German
Italian
100 Spanish
Russian
1.5% 0.8% 0.8% 0.5% 0.5% 0.8%
Urdu
0 Bengali
English Bahasa Bahasa Turkish Arabic French Other
Indonesian Malaysia
20 18
14
15
10
10 8
7
5
5
0
90% 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
(1Q)
361
Both academic and non-academic institutions are
primarily focused on skill building or professional
development to fill in the demand gap.
Professional Development:
programs under this category
are certifications, training,
independent short courses,
214
professional development
seminars, diploma, higher
diploma, tailored workshops.
124
47
30 30
20
Skill Based
85% (Certifications, Workshops,
Training, Diploma, Seminars
Short Courses etc.)
Asia Malaysia
Global Islamic Finance Education 2013 21
A CLOSER LOOK AT IFEKSP IN ASIA
Academic Professional Development Research and Innovation
Non-Academic
Out of the total 318, 199 are
13%
academic, and 119 are non-
academic institutions.
37% 87% courses and programs
contribute towards professional
63% development
87%
Research
79
Training, Seminar, Workshops, Short Courses
Certifications
8 Diploma
34
40 MBA
33
Elective Course
33
20
33 Major Course
13 12 12
5
Degree
Bachelors Masters PhD Research Professional
Development
Country Institutions
Belgium 2
“United Kingdom leads Islamic
Bosnia & Herzegovina 3 Finance Education Services in
Cyprus 1 Europe with 53% of the total
Denmark 3
Finland 1 IFEKSP in the region”
2 France 12
Germany 7
Hungary 2
Ireland 8
Italy 5
Luxembourg 5
Spain 5
Sweden 3
Switzerland 6
The Netherlands 2
2 Turkey 12
United Kingdom 86 1
Global Islamic Finance Education 2013 23
RECENT GROWTH TREND IN LAUNCH OF NEW IFEKSP IN
EUROPE
30
2009 and 2012
experienced a booming
25 period for Islamic
Finance education in
20 Europe with launch of
many new programs
15 and courses
10
Emerging Markets
5
0
2004 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 France Turkey
89
39
Research
Training, Seminar, Workshop, Short Course
Certifications 18
29
Diploma
13 12
Elective / Major 5
3 1
Degree Bachelors Masters PhD Research Professional
Development
45
Research
15 Elective / Major
13 11
4 1
2 Degree
Bachelors Masters PhD Research Professional
Development
Mauritius 6
Nigeria 11
Seychelles 1
South Africa 8
Sudan 5
Tanzania 3
Uganda 1
Australia 16
56%
53%
226
43
OECD
Although 60% of the total
34% IFEKSP belong to OIC,
OIC
60% only 53% of the member
countries host IFEKSP
Global Islamic Finance Education 2013 30
RECENT GROWTH TREND AND FUTURE PROJECTION
800
By 2016, total number of IFEKSP
700
worldwide may surpass 1250
600
500
400
300
200
100
1
SHARIAH SCHOLARS How do we visualize the next
generation Shariah Scholars?
2 ACADEMICIANS
How do we visualize the next
generation Academicians?
3
RESEARCH SCHOLARS What will be the role of next
generation Research Scholars?
4
SKILLED EMPLOYEES What will be expected from next
generation skilled employees?
1
Shariah Scholars
Qualification Standards?
Current initiatives?
Economics
Finance & Banking
(Conventional + Islamic
(Conventional + Islamic)
Perspectives)
3 4
2
Qualification Standards?
Academicians
Current initiatives?
Economics
Finance & Banking
(Conventional + Islamic
(Conventional + Islamic)
Perspectives)
3 4
3
Qualification Standards?
Research Scholars
Current initiatives?
Economics
Finance & Banking
(Conventional + Islamic
(Conventional + Islamic)
Perspectives)
3 4
Without standardized training and certification, the Islamic finance But because these same detractors leave much to be desired in the
industry will continue to calcify in its old ways: no serious innovation way of a practical, scholar-approved blueprint for us to follow, what
into equity-based Musharakah and Mudarabah products; no practical the absence of a workable alternative will more likely lead to is
alternative to a fractional debt-reserve banking system; no global countless millions with a worse option (interest-based products) rather
gold-based currency; and no move away from debt-based mainstays. than a merely bad one (poorly implemented Islamic finance).
Instead, what we need in order to rebuild Islamic finance is a strong What we need is a move away from the current state of “anything
foundation of capable, trained individuals competent enough to goes” Islamic finance training and certification. What we need is
innovate products away from debt-based, fiat-based, cosmetically- standardized training and certification based on AAOIFI Shariah
enhanced conventional products for the rich and upper middle class to Standards. AAOIFI, (pronounced “a-yo-fee”), is the Accounting and
equity-based, asset-based, genuine products for all. Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions and the de
facto in over 90% of the world’s Islamic finance jurisdictions.
Yet, we continue to sing the praises of Islamic bankers at awards AAOIFI already brings together scholars from all over the world who
ceremonies, hymn the “growth” mantra of conventional economics, agree on Shariah standards and have put behind us the painstaking
and hope for the best. Somehow, someone, we believe, will one day task of harmonizing global standards.
make it all right. After all, Islamic finance is just starting out and it
only needs a little more time to work out the details, no? According to the Institute of Management Accountants, AAOIFI
standards are now mandatory in Bahrain, the Dubai International
Wrong. Where we are presently headed is an unabashed embrace of Financial Centre, Jordan, Qatar, Qatar Financial Centre, Sudan, South
conventional banking served up with a milquetoast nod to the Shariah. Africa, Syria, and the Islamic Development Bank. AAOIFI standards
If we go on without standardized training, nothing changes and we also form the basis for national standards in Bangladesh, Brunei,
continue as before. We lend further credence to detractors who France, Indonesia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russian and
believe that Islamic finance is not working and what is needed is a Central States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the
complete revamp. United Kingdom.
Till today, since 2008, given the global financial crisis after crisis, ‘Islamic Finance Institutions (IFIs)’ within the industry are the
millions of people all over the world are suffering directly and/or bottlenecks to sustain the growth of the IF industry and become the
indirectly, whilst looking for alternatives to the conventional modes main stream global finance system.
of banking, financing and investments that can portray ethics and
fair dealings. These millions of people who are looking for an The simple answer to this challenging question is, bring
alternative system of banking and finance are yet to explore the “Awareness” globally, from laymen to intellectuals, coupled with
benefits, opportunities and the growth potentials of the Islamic “Education” from 16+ years to the PhDs. All those who are ‘Aware’
banking and finance industry. and also equipped with education on the subject matter will
definitely can make a ‘difference’ in the public domain and more
Unlike the conventional banking and finance that looks at any specifically at the institution level too, to raise the standards in every
financing and/or investment activity mostly from an economic and facets of the organization to compete and to go beyond their
financial benefits, whereas Islamic Finance (IF) goes beyond conventional counterparts, whilst sustaining the growth of the ‘IF’
economic and financial benefits, and looks at moral, ethical, social, industry and making it appealing to the global market.
and religious aspects of it, which are unique propositions that can
provide solutions to millions of people (both Muslim and non- Let’s look at “Awareness” - what are the challenges and resolves
Muslims) all over the world through equity participation, risk available to take this message of ‘IF’ globally to the laymen as well
sharing & fair dealing. as the intellectuals and to those in between, so that everyone
benefits.
The challenging question to ask is that, “if the ‘IF’ industry can
provide solutions to those individuals, corporate entities and the Three decades plus, from the birth of the modern experiments with
governments at large that are affected directly and/or indirectly by IF in 1975, till to date, only 20% of the market opportunities and
the global financial crisis after crisis? Then, what is stopping the growth potentials of ‘IF’ industry is tapped. It’s, just like the tip of
industry of becoming the main stream banking & finance system the iceberg, 80% is largely untapped mainly due to lack of
appealing to the global market to serve both the Muslims as well as understanding and awareness as to “what Islamic Finance is all
the non-Muslims? Is it ‘Awareness’, ‘Education’ and/or the about”?
In most of the countries where there is an Islamic bank, two or more, Today, the mandates of bringing awareness to the masses is
the target market is confined to the Muslim community only? As if confined to those Islamic Finance Infrastructure Institutions (IFIIs)
‘IF’ is only confined to the Muslims and not for the non-Muslims, like, IFSB, AAOIFI, CIBAFI, IIFM, IRTI, IIRA, etc., through their
who are indeed looking for alternatives to the conventional modes of annual forums, conferences and symposiums held once or twice a
banking & finance. year. This has to change from annual events to a day to day affair
bringing awareness to the general public is onus on all the
Why this focus? Again due to lack of understanding, awareness and stakeholders of the Islamic finance industry, mainly the institutional
education on the subject of ‘IF’ and its enormous benefits that could players, practitioners, Shari’ah scholars etc., who should have
accrue to all mankind, irrespective of what color, sects, race, religion planned awareness and educational events to reach out to the public
or ethnic group they belongs to. every nook and corner of the country through various channels –
news media, TV, satellites, social media, Q&A forums, live, online,
The primary challenge of some of the existing Islamic Financial virtual chats etc.
Institutions (IFIs) is not attracting new Muslim customers to the
Islamic finance fold, but how to retain those who are already This needs a budget allocation by all the IFIs for planned events
patronizing, while some of those although not satisfied with the mainly to bring public awareness and educating the masses (not only
level of services and offerings compared with that of their the Muslim community but the entire humanity at large), which will
conventional counterparts but still stay put, with all the bickering, definitely add value to the bottom lines of the IFIs.
mainly due to the Shari’ah layer or comfort. However, majority of
them move back to conventional banking or to any new IFI that has More the general public, from all walks of life, understand what the
open doors, seeking better customer services, wide range of product ‘IF’ is all about and experiences proper conduct of IFIs, not only the
offerings coupled with excellent distribution channels – the pricing Muslims are going to rally around and patronize IFIs the non-
and returns become secondary and then comes Shari’ah compliance Muslims too will join the bandwagon not mainly due to Shari’ah
for them. compliance but due to excellent customer services and the ethical
values portrayed in every transaction and activity undertaken by the
IFIs.
He said, “The story these young graduates keep telling me is that Becoming an iBanker, in a chosen field, by following these FGA
there are simply no jobs on offer – which seems to be at odds with programs not only groom students to take up any entry level or a
the headlines that we keep seeing proclaiming that the ‘IF’ industry higher position in any IFI but also makes them to look at ‘banking &
is 'growing at 20% per year.” finance’ from yet another perspective. That is, as ‘Entrepreneurs’.
My response was “Those seeking greener pastures or opportunities “Islamic bankers are not mere bankers from a conventional sense,
in the IF industry are unfortunately knocking at the wrong doors or where accepting deposits and lending are the core competencies of
are ill equipped - the regional and global markets are opening up for conventional bankers to have the maximum spread between the two.
Islamic finance – so be ready”. Whereas the Islamic bankers and finance specialists focus on
profit/loss sharing by using the funds on economic generating
Further, I mentioned that, “being in the IF industry over the last two investing and trading activities to make a profit and share that profit
decades, I strongly believe that the bigger the global financial crisis with all the depositors and shareholders, whilst protecting the fabric
is the greater the opportunities are to all the stakeholders in the of our society without engaging in activities prohibited and harmful
Islamic finance industry, which can provide solutions to millions of to the society”.
people (both Muslims and non-Muslims) all over the world to
world to improve their lives, Mr. Thowfeek is a startup specialist and has set up number of
financial and investment choices – Islamic Banks (IBs) and Islamic Financial Institutions (IFIs) in the
ME region, both fully fledged Islamic Banks and independent IB
through equity participation, risk branches of conventional banks, from scratch.
The best practice especially in the banking industry is to recruit Twenty-five years later, another sociology professor who happened
staff from various backgrounds. There are occasions where the staff to read the report sent two hundred of his Masters students to the
is not from the disciplines related to economics and finance. They same slum area to find out from the same two hundred children who
can be engineers, medical doctors, quantity surveyors, lawyers, etc. were the subject of that study twenty-five years earlier. They found
The main reason is that most of the tasks involved in banking can be that out of two hundred children, only one hundred eighty three
easily learnt by those from different background. I know a were around. The other seventeen have either moved out of the area
statistician who was given a chance to work in an Islamic bank. or have passed away. The Masters students found that all the one
Eventually he became one of the most efficient senior staff of the hundred and eighty-seven children who are now about 35 years old
bank. We also know of engineers and lawyers who do extremely have actually succeeded in life. Some are engineers, others are
well in the banking industry. Learning from such experience, it lawyers, doctors, teachers, corporate executives, etc. They then
would be a proper practice for students of Islamic finance to come asked how come they were so successful. The answer was, “there
from various academic backgrounds. This will certainly enrich the was a teacher”. The two hundred Masters students asked around to
discussions in class because the body of students would have find the teacher who happened to be an old lady of about seventy
differing views from various perspectives, skewed to their years old. When she was asked how come those children who were
background. considered to have no chance to make it in life have now achieved
tremendous success, she answered with a broad smile on her face, “I
I for one strongly believed that the students would do extremely well LOVE THEM ALL”.
if the professor shows tremendous patience in nurturing them inside
and outside classroom. I read of a story of a sociology professor who I strongly believe that the approach to be adopted in nurturing
wanted to know whether the young children of about 10 years old, students whoever they are is to show them the respect, the
in a particular slum area in US would make it in life or not. He sent confidence we have in them, the dedication and commitment we
two hundred of his MBA students to the slum area and selected two give them to really make them successful in life. It is not just the
hundred children to find out if they would make it in life. Based on quality of students that we have but more importantly what our real
the environment, the way they dressed, the materials they wear, etc. intention is when teaching them.
the two hundred MBA students had only one answer. They all
agreed that these children will never make it in life
We would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their moral support, assistance, and intellectual
contributions in this report.
Strength
Research and Marketing
Second Nature
Creativity
Appendix: List of Institutions (Academic)
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