Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) has strengthened its commitment to industry-driven education and research with the launch of the Islamic Finance Corner (ISRA Corner), a collaborative initiative aimed at developing future talent and advancing knowledge in Malaysia’s Islamic finance sector.
Launched on 22 October 2026 at the UniKL Business School Library, Tun Azizah Knowledge Centre, Quill City Mall, Kuala Lumpur, the initiative brings together UniKL Business School, CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad and INCEIF University to strengthen Islamic finance education, academic research and industry collaboration.
Sponsored by CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad, the ISRA Corner was established through the efforts of the three institutions, with UniKL Business School’s Industrial Linkages Section, IIIP, led by Dr. Muhammad Hilmi Zakaria, playing a key role in the initiative.
The dedicated learning and knowledge-sharing space is designed to provide students and academics with access to Islamic finance resources, industry perspectives and opportunities for collaborative research.
Beyond serving as an academic resource centre, the ISRA Corner is expected to support expert-sharing sessions, applied research, curriculum enrichment and industry engagement, connecting classroom learning with developments in the Islamic banking and financial services industry.
The launching ceremony featured welcoming addresses by UniKL Chief Executive Officer Wan Ahmad Saifuddin Wan Ahmad Radzi and INCEIF University President and Chief Executive Officer Prof. Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Mohd Azmi Omar.
CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad’s Director of Islamic Commercial Banking, Rahmatullah Dahrawi Edrus, delivered the officiating speech before the ISRA Corner was officially unveiled through a video presentation and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
A highlight of the event was a special sharing session titled “Islamic Finance: Where Do We Move from Here?” by Tan Sri Muhammad Ibrahim, MARA Council Member and former Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia.
Reflecting on four decades of Islamic finance development since the establishment of Bank Islam in 1983, Tan Sri Muhammad highlighted the industry’s progress in building financial institutions, instruments and regulatory frameworks.
However, he stressed that the next phase of Islamic finance development should move beyond expanding financial assets towards strengthening cross-border connectivity, improving capital mobilisation and delivering greater contributions to the real economy.
Among the key challenges identified were market fragmentation and differences in regulations, financial documentation, Shariah interpretations, taxation and settlement mechanisms across jurisdictions.
He called for stronger international cooperation, greater interoperability in sukuk markets and consistent Shariah governance without compromising the integrity of Islamic financial principles.
Importantly, the discussion highlighted the need to assess Islamic finance not merely through asset growth but also through its contribution to productive economic activities, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), housing, food security and renewable energy.
These perspectives provided UniKL students and academics with insights into the evolving priorities of Islamic finance, particularly its potential to support inclusive economic development and sustainable investment.
The ceremony was also attended by UniKL Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Kushsairy Abdul Kadir, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) Prof. Ir. Dr. Azmi Hassan and UniKL Business School Dean Dr. Azizan Mohamed Isa.
Through the ISRA Corner, UniKL Business School aims to provide students with opportunities to develop strong financial knowledge alongside professional competencies, ethical awareness and an understanding of Shariah principles.
The initiative also reinforces the university’s emphasis on applied research, industry engagement and graduate employability, supporting the development of professionals equipped to contribute to Malaysia’s Islamic banking and financial services sector.
The collaboration aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, through improved access to specialised financial education and industry knowledge, and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by supporting skills development and professional readiness in the financial sector.
It also supports SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through collaboration between UniKL, CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad and INCEIF University to strengthen knowledge exchange, research opportunities and academia-industry engagement.
