The youngest Islamic Finance Qualification (IFQ) holder in the world

FGA PRESS RELEASE: 01 November, 2014 COLOMBO, SRI LANKA

MAJID IKRAM - the youngest Islamic Finance Qualification (IFQ) holder in the world @16years Click here to watch YouTube video First Global Academy (FGA), pioneers in Islamic Finance education in Sri Lanka and has been recognised as a significant and influential Islamic Finance talent supplier in Asia and Middle East for the Education & Training. Over the period of time FGA has trained more than 2000 students and professionals locally and globally in the field of Islamic Banking & Finance. Also 50 plus local students have obtained their Associate Membership (ACSI-UK), which is awarded by Chartered Institute for Securities Investments (CISI) - UK the largest and most widely respected professional body for those who work in the securities and investments domain.

FGA is proud in producing the youngest, Majid Ikram Thowfeek, to don the Islamic Finance Qualification (IFQ) offered by Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments (CISI) - UK.“Qualifying IFQ with First Global Academy (FGA) and becoming the youngest in the world at 16+ years is quite an accomplishment, and not an easy task to absorb the technicalities and the entire syllabus like a probanker. This achievement would not have been possible without the support, guidance & encouragement of the FGA lecturers, specially Mr. Muath Mubarak my humble mentor. Indeed, the examination was tough and would not have passed without excellent preparation, practice, practice and practice" said Majid Ikram Thowfeek, who has gained the Associate Membership of CISI-UK by passing the IFQ exam comfortably in the first attempt in October 2014.

Mr. Simon Culhane, Chartered FCSI - Chief Executive Officer of CISI UK Congratulates Majid Ikram Thowfeek, from the British School of Kuwait (BSK) and a student of First Global Academy, for

MAJID IKRAM THOWFEEK

FGA PRESS RELEASE: 01 November, 2014 COLOMBO, SRI LANKA

becoming the first in the world to have the Islamic Finance Qualification from CISI-UK at the age of 16 years.

It is noteworthy that Majid has taken the hard way to put his time and efforts to cover the full syllabus within a very short time span adopting a study technique using mind-maps for each chapter and have answered almost 600 plus questions before he sat for the final examination with confidence. Today, at the age of 16, he is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments (CISI), UK. His success in IFQ opens a new door of opportunity to those teenagers who are looking for a career path after their GCE Ordinary Level examination can build a successful career in Islamic Finance.

This is another remarkable milestone of FGA's journey for Islamic Finance Qualification (IFQ) as it has already produced the second highest marks holder in the world as well. It is noteworthy that Mr. Farook Fazlullah, FGA student has obtained 95% in Islamic Finance Qualification in 2013 who has been considered as the second highest marks holder in the world. IFQ is a ground-breaking stand-alone global qualification that covers Islamic finance from both a technical and a Sharia’a perspective, providing the first international benchmark in the area of Islamic finance. It provides an understanding of the influence of Sharia’a in a business context and prepares candidates to hold key positions in the Islamic finance and Takaful (Islamic insurance) industries.

First Global also has the rare distinction of being selected by the esteemed Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), UAE to train its nearly 1000 plus strong workforce on Islamic Banking and Finance and

by DohaBank of Qatar to train its staff to equip them with an Islamic Finance Qualification (IFQ).

Look forward for our IFQ SPEED, a 6 weeks programs tailor-made to those busy executives who wish to enter into the multi-trillion dollar Islamic finance industry, to be held in Kuwait, Abu Dhabi and Singapore. For more information info@firstglobalacademy.com

First Global Academy – FGA (Formerly ‘First Global Knowledge Centre - FGKC) is the pioneer institution in Sri Lanka to promote training and career development programs in the field of Islamic Banking, Finance and Takaful. FGKC was the only educational institution which has been recognized as “Education First” in the first ever Islamic Finance country report 2011 by KPMG – Sri Lanka and recently covered in the Global Islamic Finance Forum – GIFF2012 – Country and Business Guide, as a ‘Talent Development’ institution for the Islamic finance industry, coming from Sri Lanka. FGA has been accredited by Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments (CISI) – UK, City & Guilds – UK and Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) –is the Management Accounting body in Sri Lanka which is incorporated by Parliament Act No.23 of 2009.

Visit our websites for more information: www.firstglobalacademy.com / www.fgkcentre.com This press release has been published by the followings: 1. Daily News 2. Sailan Muslim

MAJID IKRAM THOWFEEK