• Technological Innovation, Theories, and Practices in Islamic Finance
• Islamic Accounting, Shariah Audit, and Governance
• Sukuk, Islamic Development Financing, and Social Entrepreneurship
• Financing Social Development, Rural Infrastructure, and Agriculture
• Halal Industry, Products, Services and Halal Management
• Gender Financial Empowerment, Halal Tourism, and Heritage Prevention
• Islamic Finance Education, Skills Development, and Capacity Building
• Green Economy, Global Islamic Finance, and Ethical Investment
• Islamic Social Finance, Zakat, Sadaqah, Waqf, and Philanthropy
• Islamic Insurance, Takaful, and Islamic Finance Risk Management
• The role of Islamic Finance in Inclusive Growth and Gender Equality

Co-Organizers:

Romzie Rosman, PhD, is a Professor at the Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance, International Islamic University Malaysia. He is currently the deputy dean (Responsible Research & Innovation) of the Institute. Apart from supervising PhD candidates in the Islamic banking and finance programme, he teaches Islamic banking and finance subjects at the postgraduate level, particularly Islamic financial systems, accounting for Islamic financial institutions, and Islamic wealth management. His research interests are Islamic banking and finance, Islamic financial transactions, accounting for Islamic finance, Shariah non-compliance risk management, governance, and Islamic social finance. His intellectual contributions include publishing research papers in Malaysia and at the international level and publishing book chapters and articles in magazines and bulletins. He is an active associate member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants, the Association of Shariah Advisors in Islamic Finance, and a member of International Council of Islamic Finance Educators.

Atty. Arifa A. Ala, a CPA-lawyer, is a career central banker who has an extensive experience and wide technical expertise in banking supervision and regulation. She was assigned in different departments in the Financial Supervision Sector and tasked to supervise different types of financial institutions, banks and non-banks alike.

Atty. Ala has made significant contributions in the development and enhancement of various policies that made significant impact in the conduct of BSP’s supervisory function and processes. She also played a vital role in the development of programs aimed at strengthening rural and cooperative banks, such as the Strengthening Program for Cooperative Banks, Strengthening Program for Rural Banks and Consolidation Program for Rural Banks.

As the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) point person for Islamic banking and finance, Atty. Ala chairs the Islamic Finance Coordination Forum which aims for the establishment of an Islamic banking system in the Philippines which can viably operate alongside the conventional banking system.

Dr. Rizal Mohd Nor is an Assistant Professors at the Department of Computer Science, KICT, IIUM. He holds a Computer Science Ph.D and MSc. degree (Kent State University), an MBA (IIUM), and a double degree in BSc. Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering (Johns Hopkins University). His research is in Fintech and Blockchain in areas such as self-stabilising algorithms in blockchain consensus, blockchain applications in IoT, blockchain applications in Islamic finance, blockchain Applications in Edutech, Internet of Thing (IoT), cryptocurrencies and Machine Learning for Financial robo-advisors. He has published several journals in Blockchain, IoT and Fintech which have received International awards and research grants both local and international. Currently serving as an EXCO member for the International Council of Islamic Finance Educators (ICIFE) and professionally a consultant for several fintech and blockchain companies in Malaysia in their fintech, blockchain, IoT and AI initiatives. He currently owns a patent filed in 2018 relating to Blockchain Technology. He is a frequent speaker in local and international Conferences and a trainer for several agencies.

Jovelyn M. Hao, MMPA, CPA, CISA, CRISC, CPISI
Deputy Director
Fintech Innovation and Policy Research Group
Technology Risk and Innovation Supervision Department
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

With over a decade of experience in technology risk supervision, Ms. Jovelyn M. Hao (Jovie) brings in key insights and valuable inputs as she leads the Fintech Innovation and Policy Research Group (FIPRG) under the Technology Risk and Innovation Supervision Department (TRISD). FIPRG serves as the primary contact for fintech players in the Philippines, particularly those with underlying BSP-regulated activities. Ms. Hao is  likewise heavily involved in various policy initiatives of the BSP such as the Amendments to the Regulations on outsourcing, as well as ongoing initiatives on Open Finance, Regulatory Sandbox, and AI Governance. Prior to her current role, she was also a pioneer member of the Cybersecurity Supervision and Oversight Group (CSOG).

Dr. Akhmad Affandi Mahfudz, CPIF now is Associate Professor at Postgraduate Studies, University of Darussalam Gontor Indonesia  and Visiting Professor of Islamic Finance at Al Farabi Kazakh National University Kazakhstan. He also serves as Brand Ambassador for Mabrook Finance based in Canada and appointed as Chairman of Shariah Advisory Board of PT Urun Bangun Negeri. He was appointed as Consultant for IFAAS (Islamic Finance Advisory and Assurance) based in UK and Shariah Business Advisory Lead for Deloitte Indonesia. Prior to these attachments, he was researcher at International Shariah Research Academy for Islamic Finance (ISRA) Malaysia and Visiting Scholar at Islamic Business School, Universiti Utara Malaysia. He was also appointed as Deputy Rector of Tazkia University College of Islamic Economics Indonesia. Apart from academic attachment, he was appointed as Assistant Vice President of Namirah Ventures Pte Ltd Singapore.

Dr. Muhd Zaki Hj Zaini is the Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Finance at Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) in Brunei Darussalam, where he also serves as an Assistant Professor of Economics. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Economics from the University of Exeter, an MSc in Operational Research and Applied Statistics from Cardiff University, and an Associate Qualification in Islamic Finance from IBFIM. Dr. Zaki’s research interests include Islamic economics, financial technology, sustainable finance, and entrepreneurial economics. He has published extensively in reputable journals and is appointed as an editor and reviewer for several esteemed academic publications. Additionally, he has been instrumental in securing and managing multiple research grants from both university funds and external sources.

Assistant Professor Dr. Syed Marwan Mujahid bin Syed Azman is the head of the PhD programme at the Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance (IIiBF), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics & Finance) from the University of Melbourne and is a Chartered Islamic Finance Professional (CIFP) from the International Center for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF). Dr. Marwan completed his PhD at IIiBF, with a focus on Shariah complaint Social Impact Bonds. His areas of interest include Sustainability, Socially Responsible Investment (SRI), and impact measurement. Dr. Marwan is actively involved in various research projects, including developing frameworks for social impact measurement, ethical practices, and addressing financial vulnerabilities in Malaysia. He is also a regular contributor to academic publications in Islamic finance and social impact.

Prof. Dr. Nisful Laila, SE., M.Com
Vice Dean of Resources & Senior Lecturer in
Faculty of Economics and Business Universitas Airlangga

EDUCATION

2018: Doctor of Islamic Economics (Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia)

2006: Master of Banking & Finance (University of New South Wales, Australia)

1996: Bachelor of Management (Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia)

Read Full CV Here.

Dr. Acram A. Latiph is the Executive Director of the Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao and an Associate Professor of the Department of Economics, Mindanao State University – Marawi Campus. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Economics from San Beda College, MS Finance from the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Advance Certificate in Conflict Resolution and Executive Master Public Policy from the Maxwell School of Citizenship, Syracuse University, New York, and his PhD in Development Economics from the Australian National University. His PhD Dissertation “What’s Wrong with Mindanao? The Unequal Development in the Philippines” is nominated to ANU Award for Academic Excellence of the Australian National University. He is a recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship, the Australian Leadership Award Scholarship and the NISGP Scholarship.

Aleem Siddiqui M. Guiapal is a multi-awarded civil servant, cited in the Top 500 Most Influential Muslims, Most Inspiring People by the Manila Bulletin, and HRD Asia Awards Contributions to Society. He heads the Philippine Halal Industry Development Office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Recently launch a campaign for Halal Friendly Philippines aim to make the Philippines a premier Halal-friendly hub in Asia Pacific.

His works for more than 15 years aims to develop the Philippine Halal Ecosystem. He did a policy paper on US ASEAN Initiative in developing the Halal Industry in the Philippines at American University in Washington DC. He had spoken on similar subject in Southeast Asia, US, and the Middle East. He served the government in various capacities as Deputy Director General for Finance and Administration, Group Manager for Investment Promotions, Assistant Cabinet Secretary, and Executive Director. His civic work includes serving as Board of Director of the Fulbright- Hubert H Humphrey Alumni and Philippine Chapter President of the Global Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Trade.