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

MAJID IKRAM THOWFEEK

MAJID IKRAM - the youngest Islamic Finance Qualification (IFQ) holder in the world @16years

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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 pro-

banker. 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

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

MAJID IKRAM THOWFEEK

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