The changes in the Islamic Banking and Finance industry have been tremendous since its inception in the early 1970s. However this sharp growth has not been met with developing the required human capital base. There is a dearth of Islamic Banking and Finance professionals not only locally but also regionally and globally. First Global Knowledge Centre (FGKC) - the educational arm of the Fist Global Group - pioneered the introduction of Islamic Finance education with a view to opening the doors for greener pastures through a career in Islamic Banking and Finance.

FGKC is the brainchild of its Founder and Managing Director Muhammad Ikram Thowfeek, a Chartered Accountant by profession and an Islamic Banker by practice. It was established in 2007 and is the pioneer in Sri Lanka in the field of Islamic Banking and Finance education. FGKC offers the international recognized Islamic Finance Qualification (IFQ) in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Maldives and Qatar, and is the accredited training centre for the prestigious Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments (CISI) UK. Classes are conducted during weekends and the full-time course during weekdays, especially for students who have sat the G.C.E. 'O' level and 'A' level, is scheduled to begin in June 2011. Registration is now open for potential students. For further details students could call on our hotline: 0774616710.

FGKC has successfully educated more than 300 students in achieving IFQ status locally and prepares its students to sit the CISI-UK computer based tests (CBT) by having in-house computer based mock exams 100% free of charge for FGKC students. Since July 2010, all the full time students of FGKC enjoy a 50% rebate in the IFQ UK exams.

FGKC proudly states that 20 students have achieved ACSI status (Associate Member of Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments)-UK and proudly recommend them for any Islamic financial organization in any part of the world.

FGKC has an excellent knowledge of the Islamic Banking & Finance Industry and is above par. It is committed to raise the quality of professionalism in every student. FGKC wants all students regardless of community, creed or circumstances to achieve their full potential. The IFQ is a ground breaking qualification that covers Islamic Finance from both a technical and Shari'ah perspective, providing the first international benchmark in the area of Islamic Finance. IFQ is reviewed annually to reflect developments in the fast changing world of Islamic Financial services.

At present, FGKC conducts the much sought after IFQ course in Doha-Qatar and very recently the third batch has completed the classes. Expansion into the Maldives, Pakistan and Bangladesh are in the pipeline and are expected to be rolled out in the coming years.

FGKC has also conducted a number of seminars and workshops on Islamic Banking, Finance and Takaful by bringing down experts and practitioners to share their knowledge and experiences with the audience. The two annual signature events simply titled "Know-it-All" and "Know-it-Beyond", have been success stories for FGKC.

First Global is also in serious negotiations with some prestigious international institutions, academic bodies and universities to offer world-class qualifications for those who are interested in pursuing a career in this ever-growing Islamic Finance industry.

FGKC also offers internationally recognized Distance Learning Programmes in Sri Lanka, in association with Al Huda Centre for Islamic Banking and Economics, Pakistan (Al Huda CIBE). Currently it offers:

• Postgraduate Diploma in Islamic Banking and Finance,
• Certified Takaful Professional,
• Certified Islamic Funds Manager,
• Certified Sukuk Professional, and
• Certified Islamic Microfinance Manager.

Another salient feature is the special introductory fee given for students from Sri Lanka. A handsome discount is offered for all these programmes which are indeed very much affordable.
In the Islamic finance education in Sri Lanka, only FGKC has the lecturing panel consisting of professionals and practitioners in the Islamic Banking & Finance industry powered by Mr Ikram Thowfeek who is considered a specialist in start ups, which is a unique experience gained over more than two decades in working for major Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions in the Middle East.
Also FGKC has got very prominent and influencial personnel locally and globally in the field of Islamic Finance as lecturers in its panel to deliver the high quality and professional education.

First Global is making every endeavour to realize its dream of establishing 'First Global Academy' by the year 2015. The initiative is to offer Bachelor and Postgraduate Degrees in Islamic Banking, Finance, Management and other related fields along with a totally Shari'ah compliant environment.
For further details log into www.fgkcentre.com or email: info@fgkcentre.com.