Effat University hosts 3rd Islamic Finance Conference

Effat University, the first non-profit private institution of higher education for women in Saudi Arabia, will host the 3rd Islamic Finance Conference (IFC) to be held Wednesday 22 November 2017.

Now in its third edition, this year’s conference is going to focus on Islamic Entrepreneurial Finance, reflecting the fact that there is a pressing issue within the Islamic finance sector on the significant unmet needs of Shariah compliant financial services, particularly among micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). 

“We are delighted Effat University is again the venue for the Islamic Finance Conference, having previously hosted the conference in 2014 and 2016,”said Dr. Haifa Jamal Al-Lail, President of Effat University. “This opportunity for us to host the IFC is in line with our belief in the increasing importance of higher education in empowering women to contribute to economic development by qualifying for leadership positions, as well as being originators and directors of entrepreneurial business start-ups that diversify the Kingdom’s economic base.”

IFC 2017 is aimed at enabling Islamic finance to complete its ecosystem via extending its horizon to MSMEs, which are a rather financially excluded group, by providing the platform to explore alternative infrastructure, products, and other facilities and possible venture opportunities for entrepreneurs.

The event is supported by the Islamic Economics Institute at King Abdulaziz University and the Conference agenda includes presentations and panel discussions focusing on Islamic entrepreneurial financial opportunities and Islamic entrepreneurship best practices; thought leadership from leading Islamic finance institutions; the growth of Islamic finance  and entrepreneurship, the impact of Islamic finance  on entrepreneurship development; and much more.

The one-day event is expected to attract credible entrepreneurs, distinguished scholars, academicians and researchers from esteemed organization, and doctorate students.

Established in 1999 as the first non-profit educational institute specialized in offering higher education for girls in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Effat University today is renowned  as a center of excellence where researchers from different fields collaborate in building and expanding the knowledge base to add future value to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.