Agroup of Executive Masters students specializing in Islamic finance from Dauphine University in Paris visited Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), engaging in a lively discussion about the future of Islamic banking with executives from the bank.
According to press release to Mubasher, the group of 20 students inquired about ADIB’s growth in recent years into the world’s fourth-largest Islamic bank by assets, and the bank’s growing appeal, including non-Muslims. The discussion then focused on the role of banks in the global financial crisis, and whether Islamic banks can lead the way in promoting better ethics in finance, and even in encouraging a more equitable model for economic development.
“We want to inspire future generations to adopt a new way of thinking about the banking sector, with a much stronger emphasis on ethics,” noted Petr Klimes, Group Marketing Director. “We believe that banks inspired by an ethical business model such ours will eventually be more profitable and beneficial to shareholders, depositors and customers in the medium and long terms,” Petr added.
Dauphine University’s Executive Master of Islamic Finance teaches students the concept and techniques of Islamic finance, including the structuring of products according to Islamic values and ethics.
Kader Meerbouh, Head of the Programme, said the visit to Abu Dhabi gave students first-hand experience of how Islamic banking is developing.
“It’s invaluable for our students because we are talking to real practitioners in Islamic finance, not just about what they are doing now, but also to discover how they see the world developing in the coming years,” Meerbouh said.
Established in 1959 in France, Dauphine University is a leading institution on the research and study of Organisation and Decision Sciences. Known for its academic excellence and close ties with the business world, Dauphine effectively prepares its students for their professional futures as leaders, executives, scholars and entrepreneurs.