The Bahrain Insititute of Banking and Finance (BIBF)'s Centre for Islamic Finance is introducing the first Master's degree with dual concentration in finance and Islamic finance.

The course, which begins in March, is a joint venture between the BIBF Centre and the De Paul University of Chicago, said a report in our sister publication, the Gulf Daily News.

The Islamic finance industry's tremendous growth potential has brought about a shortage of professionals equipped with adequate knowledge of the variety of products and their application in both the conventional and Islamic financial markets.

Often potential students in the past found they had to travel as far a field as Malaysia or London to study.

Now that is about to change with the launch of the Master's degree with dual concentration in finance and Islamic finance - the Master of Science degree in Islamic Finance (MS-IF).

"The aim of the MS-IF degree is to further support the Islamic finance sector, which is very much in need of individuals who not only specialise in Islamic finance, but also conventional finance," said head of the Centre for Islamic Finance Mahmood Al Sheahabi.

"Graduates of the programme will have a blended exposure, enabling them to gain a competitive edge in today's diverse and globalised market place."

The course is open to candidates who have achieved a bachelor's degree and would like to advance their knowledge and understanding of conventional and Islamic finance to an expert level.

The 15-month programme brings the world of Islamic finance straight to the classroom, providing students with an in-depth understanding of the important financial instruments and theories pertaining to both topics so they can confidently enter a team specialising in corporate banking, compliance, risk management or financial control upon graduation.

As a practical exercise, students will also be required to attend the Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) Annual Conference on Islamic banking and the AAOIFI Annual Sharia Conference held during the year.

The BIBF is also offering a new Masters degree programme in finance and real estate, also in association with DePaul University. Applications are currently being considered for all programmes for the spring semester of next year. - TradeArabia News Service