Raising the bar, year on year – First Global Academy Awards 2015

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Aug. 5, 2015 - PRLog -- The First Global Academy (FGA) had its “Academy Awards 2015” under the theme of ‘Raising the bar, year on year' on 29^th of July 2015 as a houseful evening event to appreciate and crown more than hundred students who are passing out from FGA with Islamic Finance Qualifications to tap into the lucrative and promising Islamic Finance industry.

FGA is the pioneer institution in Sri Lanka to promote training and career development programs in the field of Islamic Banking, Finance and Takaful. It has also been recognized as a significant talent supply institution in the region. FGA has pioneered the introduction of some highly recognized and quality courses of study in Islamic Banking and Finance in Sri Lanka since 2006.

FGA is currently led by Mr. Muath Mubarak, CEO with a handpicked professional team who are ready to go that extra mile to achieve the mission and vision of FGA.

“We at FGA are bridging the talent gap of the Islamic Finance Industry globally where not only for Muslims but all humanity can benefit from these professional Islamic Bankers” said Muath Mubarak.

FGA is the only institution in the country recognized as the 'Best Islamic Finance Education Provider' by the prestigious Global Banking & Finance Review magazine - UK.  FGA was also recognized as “Education First” in the first ever Islamic Finance country report 2011 by KPMG – Sri Lanka and covered in the Global Islamic Finance Forum – GIFF 2012 – Country and Business Guide, as a ‘Talent Development’ institution for the Islamic finance industry, coming from Sri Lanka. FGA has been accredited by Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments (CISI) – UK, City & Guilds – UK and Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) –the Management Accounting body in Sri Lanka. FGA has partnered with Asian International Academy (AIA) to offer the Islamic Credit Management programs accredited by the Sri Lanka Institute of Credit Management (SLICM).

This event has attracted many prominent Sharia Scholars and industry professionals including the CEOs / Heads of Islamic Finance Unit, parents and the students where they had an opportunity for a great networking to share their thoughts. The event was graced by the Chief Guest Dr M.A.M Shukri who is a renowned Islamic scholar and educationist and the Guest of Honour Mrs. Hafeeza Ghori, the Principal of Ilma International Girls’ school.

The Academy Awards 2015 was addressed by Mr. Ikram Thowfeek, Founder & Managing Director of First Global Group, the Keynote Speaker who shared his knowledge, experience and the practical exposure gained in the Islamic Finance industry over the last two and half decades by setting up Islamic Finance Institutions from scratch.

“Islamic Finance is not only confined to the Muslims but for all mankind, irrespective of what colour, religion, race or ethnic group they belong to” said Mr. Muhammed Ikram Thowfeek (MIT) a Sri Lankan Chartered Accountant who learnt Islamic Finance by practice.
He also emphasized that the West continues to benefit immensely by tapping in to the riches of the Islamic Finance industry to attract FDI’s (Foreign Direct Investments) to develop their nation. Similarly, Sri Lanka too can benefit from Islamic Finance to uplift our nation by raising the much needed FDI’s to support the government’s revenue generating and infrastructure projects. Also to uplift the downtrodden by creating SME’s, Micro Finance projects and other self employment initiatives through Islamic Finance offerings like Mudarabah and Musharakah (Joint Ventures and Partnerships).

FGA has now trained more than 2500 students and professionals locally and globally in the field of Islamic Banking & Finance. Further, 75 plus local students have obtained their Associate membership (ACSI-UK) which is awarded by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments (CISI) - UK, the largest and most widely respected professional body for those who work in the securities and investments field.

The Academy Awards 2015 was organized to appreciate all the Associate members of CISI-UK who have passed and received the Islamic Finance Qualification (IFQ) from FGA and awarded with Certificates, Diplomas & Executive Diplomas in Islamic Banking & Finance under the brand of iBanker (Islamic Banker).

Also awarded certificates were those who qualified in the CPD course in Islamic Banking & Finance - examination offered jointly by the Institute for Chartered Accountants Sri Lanka (ICASL) and First Global Academy (FGA). Majid Ikram Thowfeek, a FGA student, was recognized as the Youngest Islamic Finance Qualification holder in the world at the age of 16 years, leading the way for young people to build a career in Islamic Finance after their IGCSE, G.C.E. O/L or G.C.E. A/L examinations.

The Academy Awards was sponsored by 10 sponsors:

Platinum Sponsor - MIT Global, Gold Sponsor- B2Zee, Silver Sponsor - Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments (CISI) – UK, Strategic Partners -  LOLC - Al Falaah &  PLC - Al Safa, Awarding Partner – Riteshu, Associate Partner - Abdullah Group, Knowledge Partner - Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (ICASL), Digital Media Partner - Islamic Finance Today, Multimedia Partner - Knowledge Box, Hospitality Partner - The Excellency

FGA is having its unique open session on 22^nd of August 2015 for all levels of students and professionals. The participants will have the privilege of getting a glimpse of Islamic Banking & Finance in a two hour free session which it is hoped will encourage many young people to build a career in the multi trillion dollar Islamic Finance industry.

For more information and to reserve your seats please contact us on 0774616710 / 0777703567.

First Global Academy – FGA (Formerly ‘First Global Knowledge Centre - FGKC) is the pioneer institution in Sri Lanka to promote training and career development programs in the fields of Islamic Banking, Finance and Takaful. FGA is the only educational institution which has been recognized as “Education First” in the first ever Islamic Finance country report 2011 by KPMG – Sri Lanka and recently covered in the Global Islamic Finance Forum – GIFF2012 – Country and Business Guide, as a ‘Talent Development’ institution for the Islamic finance industry, coming from Sri Lanka. FGA has been accredited by Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments (CISI) – UK, City & Guilds – UK and Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA). FGA also has been accredited by Sri Lanka Institute for Credit Management.

Visit our website www.firstglobalacademy.com for more information