KUALA LUMPUR, 26 November 2022 – The 13th Convocation of INCEIF University held today at Sasana Kijang, Bank Negara Malaysia, witnessed the graduation of Class 2022 with a total of 99 graduands from 28 countries including Afghanistan, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Hungary, United Kingdom and United States. The top five nationalities are Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Somalia and Nigeria. This takes the number of INCEIF global alumni to a total of 2,320 from over 83 countries, as at 26 November 2022.

This year, the ceremony witnessed the inaugural graduation of graduates from a programme introduced by INCEIF University in 2020 at the beginning of the height of the global pandemic, Masters in Business Administration. Designed for working professionals seeking to further explore a career in Islamic finance, the multifaceted MBA programme imparts comprehensive knowledge in many core areas of the current industry including data analytics, sustainability and innovation, strategic planning and sustainability in management and investment.

Adding another distinctive factor to the ceremony, the 13th Convocation also marked the first convocation for the newly appointed INCEIF University Chancellor, Tan Sri Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus who is the Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia; and Pro Chancellor Tan Sri Dr Mohd Daud Bakar, a Shariah scholar.

Of the 99 graduates who received their scrolls from the Chancellor, 11 graduands received their PhD in Islamic Finance; 54 – Masters in Islamic Finance Practice; 22 – MSc in Islamic Finance; 6 – Executive Masters of Islamic Finance; 4 – Chartered Islamic Finance Professional and 2 – Masters in Business Administration. Joining them were 58 recipients of the Professional Certificate in Islamic Finance. The diversity of INCEIF graduates affirms the university’s role in developing world-class talent for the global Islamic financial services industry and reinforces Malaysia’s position as the global hub for the industry.

Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar, who is the Chairman of INCEIF Board of Directors, and Professor Dato’ Dr. Mohd Azmi Omar, INCEIF President & Chief Executive Officer, were also present at the ceremony.

In his speech at the convocation, Professor Dato’ Dr. Mohd Azmi Omar congratulated the Class of 2022 and mandated, “No matter your chosen path in the immediate future, now more than ever, we have an earnest duty in advancing the cause of Islamic finance in all forms. As the world undergoes incessant environmental, geopolitics and socio-economic shocks, the next wave of Islamic finance has to continue putting forth its focus on achieving the Maqasid al-Shariah; prevention of harm and attainment of benefit. Islamic financing and investment decision must be judged based on ‘Adl and Ihsan (justice and excellence) which will drive the environment, social good and governance agenda that are pertinent today. Islamic finance is finance for all communities and societies”.

He also recorded his appreciation to those whose contributions have made it possible for INCEIF to reinforce its hardware and software to keep up with the pace demanded by the industry – the latest of which is the move into the new campus at Jalan Tun Ismail, in the heart of Kuala Lumpur city centre.

In acknowledgment of their academic excellence, the recipients for the 13th Convocation President’s Award are:

• PhD in Islamic Finance – DR. PRIYONGGO SUSENO, INDONESIA
• MSc in Islamic Finance – AZMY MAHBOT, MALAYSIA
• Masters in Islamic Finance Practice – JOVITANIA SOEDIRO, INDONESIA

Introduced for the first time at INCEIF 11th Convocation in 2019, the Book Award was given to graduates who excelled in selected domain of knowledge, as follows:

• Banking – JOVITANIA SOEDIRO, INDONESIA (MIFP
• Capital Market – AZMY MAHBOT, MALAYSIA (MSc in Islamic Finance)
• Shariah – UMME ROOMAAN SOOFIE, SOUTH AFRICA (MSc in Islamic Finance)

INCEIF University was set up by Bank Negara Malaysia in 2005 and has been tasked to develop and nurture talent and experts in the Islamic financial services industry. Known to be the only university in the world dedicated to Islamic finance, it aims to be the knowledge leader in Islamic finance through providing excellent teaching, research and thought leadership – bridging both academia and industry. Since welcoming its first cohort of students in June 2006, INCEIF has evolved into a premier higher education institution. From the early days of offering a single online professional qualification, the university has expanded its offerings to include 3 PhD programmes, 5 Masters programmes, 2 professional programmes as well as industry-focused applied research, consulting and advisory services. With over 2,000 alumni from more than 80 countries, the alumni have made meaningful contributions to the advancement of Islamic finance at all levels be it product development, policy framework and implementation, regulation and enforcement, and innovation.

Speech by President & CEO Prof Dato’ Dr Azmi Omar
@12.40pm, 26 Nov 2022, Auditorium, Sasana Kijang