Kuala Lumpur, 30 Oct 2023 – ISRA Consulting, the wholly-owned subsidiary of INCEIF University, has been appointed as the strategic partner by The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) to run SC’s Shariah Mentorship Programme for Shariah professionals.

An Induction Day was held on INCEIF Campus today for the first cohort of the Shariah Mentorship Programme and attended by 11 participants who will undergo a two-month intensive classroom learning, followed by a six-month internship placement at participating organisations. Participants will also receive a RM2,000 monthly allowance throughout the programme tenure. The call for application was made in August 2023 and a total of 273 applications were received from the Shariah fraternity, comprising both fresh graduates and experienced hires.

The capacity-building programmes is designed to create a continuous talent pipeline of Shariah professionals equipped with adequate technical competencies and knowledge on Islamic Capital Market (ICM) products and offerings, and appropriate regulatory expertise. By 2025, the programme would have produced more than 40 Shariah professionals and fresh graduates with enhanced capabilities and abilities of ICM practitioners in Shariah governance, particularly in the entry requirements.

The multi-year programme focuses on developing capable Shariah professionals to enhance the level of professionalism and technical competencies through a series of mentorship session and selected blended learning syllabus covering ICM core modules. It is part of SC’s continuous efforts in building an innovative and competitive ICM, with talent development as a key enabler for broadening the breadth and depth of the ICM in Malaysia.

ISRA Consulting CEO and Executive Director Datuk Prof Dr Mohamad Akram Laldin said participants of the programmes stood to benefit from renowned facilitators from among leading academicians and industry practitioners, some of whom were currently on Shariah Committees in Malaysia and abroad. The facilitators have been conducting in-house Shariah management training programmes for fresh graduates over the years.

“Much as Artificial Intelligence plays a significant role in today’s globalised and digitalised world, the in-depth knowledge and invaluable experience of Shariah experts can never be replaced. This mentorship programme is crucial and timely in ensuring the continued succession of future-ready Shariah advisors. Only with the right talent and values can Islamic capital market make an enduring and meaningful impact on society and the economy,” Datuk Akram added.

The Shariah Mentorship Programme is the SC’s first capacity building programme that is catered to a specific target group which are Shariah officers with less than three years of experience in Islamic finance or ICM, including fresh graduates with Shariah background. The programme is also the first of its kind to offer a mentorship component with opportunities to benefit from the guidance and wisdom of the members of Shariah Advisory Council of the SC, as well as Shariah and subject matter experts in the industry. Participants benefit from a comprehensive learning experience which encompasses a broad spectrum of contemporary topics and practical training, equipping participants with up-to-date knowledge in meeting the growing market demand in the ICM.

For more information on the Shariah Mentorship Programme, and details on when to apply for the second cohort, please visit www.inceif.edu.my/shariah-mentorship-programme/

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