Islamic Finance Colloquium

Islamic Banking is one of the fastest growing sectors of the banking industry with funds up to US$200 billion, growth at more than 15% per annum and 150 financial institutions operating in more than 40 countries. The unique value-orientated ethos of Islamic banking is proving increasingly effective in drawing finance from Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

The Islamic Banking Colloquium is an initiative of the National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies and Asialink, both at the University of Melbourne to:

Showcase the growth of Islamic banking globally
Highlight the potential of Islamic banking in Australia
Promote the understanding of Islamic finance principles
Provide an opportunity for networking

The Colloquium aims to introduce finance industry professionals to developments in this important growth sector of the global banking market. The event will bring together bankers, regulators, financial and legal practitioners, academics and industry experts.

Speakers include:

Mr Mohamed Ridza
Managing Partner, Mohamed Ridza & Co., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Mr Mohamed Ridza has trained in Shari'ah as well as common law and has advised on various aspects of Islamic banking and finance utilizing various Shari'ah concepts. At the international scene, Ridza has advised clients in Singapore, the Philippines, Canada, Brunei, Indonesia and Lebanon on various aspects of Islamic financing. Ridza has spoken extensively in various conferences in the areas of Islamic Banking and Islamic Private Debt Securities. Ridza is the co-author of the Law and Practice of Islamic Banking and Finance published by Sweet & Maxwell Asia.

Download Presentation [PDF, 1.3mb, 18 pages]

Professor Abdullah Saeed
Director, National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies

Professor Saeed is the Sultan of Oman Professor of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Melbourne. He is also the Director of the National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies and the Director of the Asia Institute at the University of Melbourne. Abdullah has written extensively on Islam, Islam in Australia as well as Islamic Banking.

Download Presentation [PDF, 200kb, 8 pages]

Dr Abdul Rahim Ghouse
Chief Executive Officer, Kuwait Finance House Australia

Dr Abdul Rahim Ghouse championed the establishment of the Australian presence of Kuwait Finance House, and as the first CEO of its Australian subsidiary, he is presently tasked with developing a viable Islamic capital market segment in Australia. He has previously lead an initiative that resulted in a landmark victory for the Islamic Finance industry in Australia, by successfully negotiating with the State Revenue authorities of Victoria for the exemption from double stamp duty for Islamic home financing schemes. Abdul Rahim continues a significant involvement in building bridges between Islamic and conventional financing in Australia through his ongoing discourse and research efforts.

Download Presentation [PDF, 847kb, 4 pages]

Professor Michael Skully
Chair of Banking, BUSECO, Monash University

Professor Michael Skully holds the Chair of Banking at Monash University. Prior to becoming an academic, he worked in the investment banking industry and in corporate finance with General Electric. He is a fellow of CPA Australia and a senior fellow of Financial Services Institute of Australasia, and a director of the Asia Pacific Finance Association, the Financial Services Institute of Australia, and UniSuper. Michael has a long-standing research interest in Islamic banking and is a foundation member of Australia's Islam Node Network of academic researchers.

Download Presentation [PDF, 510kb, 17 pages]

Professor Mohamed Ariff
Professor of Finance, University of Tokyo and Bond University

Professor Mohamed Ariff is a Professor of Finance at the Bond University and is currently on sabbatical at the University of Tokyo. Ariff was previously head of Monash University's Finance faculty for six years. He has worked as a visiting scholar/fellow/professor in several universities including Boston, Harvard and Melbourne. He served in 2004-2006 as the elected president of the 21-year old Asian Finance Association.

Download Presentation [PDF, 735kb, 12 pages]

Mr Gerard Kennedy
Principal, Macpherson + Kelley Lawyers

Mr Gerard Kennedy has practiced commercial law for 25 years specialising in business corporate law and international trade law. His specialist practice areas include business sales and acquisitions and international trade protocols including the operation of international conventions. Gerard was instrumental in launching the business law section of Law Asia, drafted its by-laws and was inaugural secretary/treasurer.

Download Speech [PDF, 124kb, 5 pages]
Download Presentation [PDF, 750kb, 9 pages]

Mr Asad Ansari
Director, Kuwait Finance House Australia

Mr Asad Ansari is a Director of Kuwait Finance House Australia. He has had extensive experience advising some of the world's largest corporations and financial institutions on a range of cross-border transactional work. Asad sits on the Australian Financial Markets Association working committee on Islamic finance and was recently the recipient of the prestigious Future Summit leadership award from the Australian Davos Connection.

Download Presentation [PDF, 80kb, 11 pages]

WHERE: Novotel 270 Collins St., Melbourne
COST: $85 (full) / $70 (Asialink & FINSIA Members) / $ 55 (concession)
REGISTRATION FORM: Download PDF
ENQUIRIES: Ken Lee 03 8344 3583 or k.lee@asialink.unimelb.edu.au