SINGAPORE ISLAMIC FINANCE ACADEMY (SIFA)
SIFA (Singapore Islamic Finance Academy) was established on 14 June 2016. We provide both basic course in Islamic finance as well as advanced specialist courses for experienced Islamic finance professionals in Singapore and the region.
SIFA is a member of the SSA Group of companies, a leading training organisation with over three decades of experience in training and consulting for workforce transformation.
Vision
To be the leading innovative Islamic finance institution to prepare the next generation of Islamic finance professionals for the future economy.
Mission
To equip our course participants with the knowledge, skills and abilities to operate effectively in the future economy. Against the context of Industrial Revolution 4.0 where automation, analytics, big data and artificial intelligence will increasingly permeate our economy, SIFA seek to develop Islamic finance professionals who are agile, adaptive and more competitive. Islamic finance professionals of the future will be operating in a data and analytics driven economy. SIFA seeks to prepare its course participants for this future through its emphasis on the application of new technologies in the delivery of learning and development programs.
Academic Director
Dr. Ahcene Lahsasna
Ph.D., CIFP, ACIP, RFP
Vice President, Research & Publication, Malaysian Financial Planning Council (MFPC) (Malaysia)
Associate Professor Dr. Ahcene Lahsasna is currently Vice President, Research & Publication, Malaysian Financial Planning Council (MFPC) (Malaysia). Prior to that, he was an Associate Professor at the International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF) Malaysia, known as the Global University of Islamic Finance, where he was the Deputy Director of the Centre of Research and Publication. Dr Ahcene Lahsasna received his Master’s and PhD degrees in Islamic law and Islamic jurisprudence from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).
Prof Ahcene Lahsasna has industry experience acting as Shariah advisor for Islamic banking, Islamic capital market, Talaful , Re-Takaful locally and internationally, involved in approving billion dollars Sukuk deals for corporate and governments. Prof Ahcene Lahsasna actively contributes in the field of wealth management and financial planning, he is Register Financial Planner (RFP) holder and certified Trainer in wealth management and financial planning. He is also FAP (FAA Accreditation Panel) appointed by the Finance Agency Accreditation. Dr Ahcene Lahsasna is citified Trainer by CIBAFI (General Council for Islamic banks and financial institutions in Bahrain), he is also certified Professional trainer (CPT), by the FAA (Finance Accreditation Agency in Malaysia). And Certified Trainer by MFPC, The Malaysia Financial Planning Council.
In 2016 Dr Ahcene Lahsasna received the Distinguished Scientist Award (Specialization: Islamic Finance) for the contribution to Islamic finance. Research Awards-VIRA. Venus International foundation. India. In 2017 he received the Global Responsible Business Leadership Award in 2017, for Islamic Financial Excellence. The award was organized by Asia Pacific CSR council, and supported by United Nations Global Compact.
Industry Roles & Qualifications
1. Registered Sharī`ah advisor at Bank Negara Malaysia and Securities Commission Malaysia
2. Sharī`ah board member of Maybank Islamic
3. Chairman of Shariah Board of Etiqa Takaful in Malaysia
4. Shariah Advisory Council member at RGA Re-Takaful based in Labuan.
5. Member of the Sharī`ah Advisory Council of MFPC.
6. FAP Panel (FAA Accreditation Panel) appointed by the Finance Agency Accreditation [Malaysia]
7. Certified Trainer by CIBAFI (General Council for Islamic banks and financial institutions in Bahrain)
Resident Trainer
Mr. Zaid Hamzah
Zaid Hamzah is author of the book “Islamic Private Equity & Venture Capital: Principles and Practice”, Islamic Banking & Finance Institute Malaysia, December 2011”. Admitted to practise law in Singapore and England & Wales, Zaid has over 30 years of professional experience during commercial transactions covering both conventional financing as well as Islamic finance.
Zaid specializes in Islamic investments with a focus on intellectual property, technology-based commercial transactions. Zaid’s past professional experience include serving as Director at Microsoft, Chief Legal & Regulatory Officer at Telekom Malaysia and Senior Legal Adviser at Singapore Telecommunications Limited.