From September 15 to September 19, 2012 three current MIAF students: Moritz Heck (Germany), Simon Touchette (Canada), Gabriel Alves (Brazil) will be going on a trip to Saudi Arabia on the ocassion of the SCIEF (*) Youth Immersion Week. The SCIEF Youth Immersion Week provides students from IE Business School and France an opportunity to gain access into one of the most interesting countries in the Middle East. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia not only has the second largest oil reserves, sixth largest gas reserves, but it is one of the few fast-growing countries in the world with a relatively high per capita income of $24,200 (2010).

Saudi Arabia is often mistaken for being a land with a lot of sand, oil and the holy city of Muslims, but the country offers so much more with many economic opportunities. Join us in adventure to gain an opportunity to learn about Islamic Finance and better understand one of the most influential cities in the Middle East. Students will have an opportunity to develop their:

  • Professional Skills: To get a better understanding of what is Islamic Banking, financial products and network with key companies. This will give students an opportunity to share and discuss the differences between conventional and Islamic Finance. This will support talented youth interested in Islamic Banking get a better job.
  • Cultural Understanding: Ever since September 11, there are still a lot of cultural misunderstandings about the Islam and the Middle East. We would like to give students an opportunity to better understand the Middle Eastern culture and Islam.

(*)  SCIEF is Europe´s leading center for Islamic Economics and Finance. The center was launched in 2009 with the mission to be a hub for research, teaching, applying and promoting Islamic economics and finance amongst Spanish and international businesses, governments and future leaders.

The center leverages from the experience of its partners: Islamic Economics Institute – King Abdulaziz University and IE Business School and Chair for Ethics and Financial Norms (CEFN) – University of Paris 1, Sorbonne. The activities range from developing course material, thought leadership through producing publications, conducting executive training on contemporary issues and raising awareness through our think tank series on Islamic finance and the future of alternative financing in business.