Cooperation between the Bolton University, BBI bank and the School of Economics and Business in Sarajevo

CEO of BBI Amer Bukvić, director of the Centre for Islamic finance at the University of Bolton from United Kingdom, Dr. Mohammed Abdel-Haq and Dean of School of Economics and Business in Sarajevo, Željko Šain, signed in Sarajevo  a Memorandum of Cooperation by which students of School of Economics and Business have a possibility to gain a diploma of the University of Bolton along with their  School of Economics and Business diploma. Moreover, students will have practice opportunities through BBI bank and BBI Academy seminars.

BBI bank Bolton friends, Dr. Mohammed Abdel-Haq and the President of the University of Bolton and a member of the House of Lords of the British Parliament, Baroness Patricia Morris, expressed their support for the bank initiative to commence expert specialization in the field of Islamic finance at the School of Economics and Business, where, upon an initiative of BBI bank, a Department for Islamic banking has been previously formed. "We aim to make Sarajevo an interesting place for studying for those students who decide to learn about Islamic finance. This industry is among the fastest  growing segments of banking globally and it attracts more and more attention each year. Rich experience of United Kingdom in the field of Islamic banking and legal framework of this country can considerably assist B&H to develop this industry", Amer Bukvic, CEO of BBI, said after the signing of the Memorandum . He continued to add that BBI bank invested time to educate the citizens about the Islamic financing during previous years along with the university education of personnel in this field.  Dean Šain said a tripartite program under which students from EFSA  will listen to a coordinated program of EFSA and the University from England and scientifically and practically improve through various activities in BBI bank and BBI Academy seminars, was arranged by the Memorandum.

"EFSA, as the oldest state faculty in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is trying to keep up with the newest trends, one of  which is certainly to explore Islamic economy, finance and banking", said, among other things, Dean Šain. He stressed that the aim of the School of Economics and Business in Sarajevo(EFSA)  is internationalization, networks with other faculties, student and staff exchange. In addition, EFSA plans to develop in the future in the direction of Islamic economy, an ever growing trend globally.  Students of the University, following the official signing of the Memorandum, had an opportunity to listen to a lecture on "Islamic banking in the UK: experience and lessons learned"  by Dr. Mohammed Abdel-Haq, director of the Centre for Islamic finance at the University of Bolton.

Also present at the official ceremony of signing was the president of University of Bolton, baroness Particia Morris. In her press statement, Baroness Morris pointed out that Islamic banking is highly important part of banking in the UK and that as such, it fitted perfectly in the University of Bolton education system.  She added that cooperation between the states in the field of education  is the best form of cooperation because it tears down prejudices and builds bridges of understanding and coexistence.