Message from the Founding Director, CIBF
Prof. Dr. Imam Uddin
Founding Director,
IoBM – Centre for Islamic Business & Finance (CIBF)
An Academic Visionary and Advocate for Islamic Finance
Message from the Founding Director, CIBF
It is with great pride that I share the vision and mission of the Centre for Islamic Business & Finance (CIBF) at the Institute of Business Management (IoBM). Established to address the growing need for ethical and sustainable financial systems, the Centre serves as a hub for advancing Islamic banking, finance, and Halal business practices through education, research, and collaboration.
It is with great pride that I share the vision and mission of the Centre for Islamic Business & Finance (CIBF) at the Institute of Business Management (IoBM). Established to address the growing need for ethical and sustainable financial systems, the Centre serves as a hub for advancing Islamic banking, finance, and Halal business practices through education, research, and collaboration.
As the Founding Director, I am deeply committed to fostering partnerships with global institutions, hosting international conferences, and shaping policy discussions that contribute to the evolution of Islamic finance. At the heart of our mission lies a dedication to integrating Islamic principles into contemporary business practices and empowering professionals to lead this change.
I look forward to seeing the Centre grow as a leading force in advancing Islamic business and finance. By building on our strategic vision, we aim to foster innovation, collaboration, and meaningful contributions to the industry, ensuring a lasting impact on ethical and sustainable financial practices globally.
About the Founding Director - CIBF
Prof. Dr. Imam Uddin, an eminent scholar and academic leader, brings over two decades of extensive experience in education, research, and industry collaboration to the field of Islamic finance. As the Founding Director of the Centre for Islamic Business & Finance (CIBF) at the Institute of Business Management (IoBM), he has been instrumental in steering the Centre’s vision toward excellence in Islamic banking, fintech, and sustainable finance.
Key Achievements
Academic Leadership
- As the Head of the Department of Accounting & Finance at IoBM, Dr. Imam demonstrated exemplary leadership by expanding the department’s course offerings from 70-80 to over 200 courses/Sections per semester, meeting the growing demand for quality education. His strategic initiatives transformed the department into one of IoBM’s most significant revenue-generating and impactful academic units.
Pioneering Initiatives
- As the founding director of CIBF, Dr. Imam laid a strong foundation by introducing specialized certifications and diplomas in Islamic banking and finance. He has set the stage for future postgraduate and PhD programs, ensuring the Centre’s alignment with global advancements and industry needs.
Scholarly Contributions
- A prolific author, Dr. Imam has enriched the field with groundbreaking works, including:
- Islamic Financial Institutions: An Introduction (Routledge, UK)
- Islamic Capital Markets: The Structure, Formation, and Management of Sukuk (Routledge, UK)
- Mobile Banking in the Context of Developing Asian Countries (Emerald Publishing)
- Numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters focusing on Islamic fintech, Shariah compliance, and sustainable finance.
Strategic Industry Engagement
- Dr. Imam has cultivated robust partnerships with leading institutions, signing MoUs with prominent organizations such as:
- Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Jeddah
- INCEIF, Malaysia
- AAOIFI, Bahrain
- Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance (BIBF)
- La Trobe University, Australia
- Many local & International Islamic Financial Institutions
These collaborations have significantly enhanced industry-academia linkages, facilitating knowledge transfer and capacity-building initiatives.
Conference Leadership
- Dr. Imam is the visionary behind the prestigious annual International Conference on Islamic Banking & Finance (ICIBF), a global platform that convenes policymakers, industry leaders, and academics to address emerging trends and challenges in Islamic finance.
Shariah Advisory Expertise
- A registered Shariah advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Dr. Imam provides invaluable consultancy to financial institutions on their journey toward Shariah compliance.
Vision for CIBF
Dr. Imam aspires to position CIBF as a global leader in Islamic finance education and innovation. His vision emphasizes:
- Promoting sustainability and ethical practices.
- Advancing financial inclusion through transformative research.
- Bridging academia and industry to solve real-world challenges.
Through his leadership, CIBF aims to develop a generation of professionals who will champion Islamic finance as a tool for economic stability and societal betterment.
Personal Philosophy
Dr. Imam’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that education serves as a catalyst for societal progress. By harmonizing traditional Islamic principles with contemporary financial practices, he strives to create solutions that are not only ethical but also sustainable and inclusive.
With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Dr. Imam Uddin continues to shape the future of Islamic finance and inspire the next generation of leaders.
