The London-based Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment has partnered with Saudi Arabia’s oldest national university, King Faisal University, to offer a range of international qualifications aimed at encouraging more students to enter the financial services professions.

The professional body, which runs the Certified Financial Planner designation in the UK, says that the partnership paves the way for the students, alumni and faculty members to have access to CISI’s international qualifications.

The qualifications will open the way to door to the financial services professions, including Financial Planning, both in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the world.

The CISI says that King Faisal University is the first ‘CISI Partner University’ in Saudi Arabia to offer CISI qualifications such as Fundamentals of Financial Services and International Introduction to Securities and Investment to students pursuing a degree in Bachelor of Finance.

The qualifications are also available for alumni and faculty interested in continuing their financial services education.

Matthew Cowan Chartered MCSI, regional director at the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment Middle East, said: “Developing our presence within Saudi Arabia has always been top priority for us, and we are delighted that King Faisal University is CISI’s first university partner in Saudi Arabia, one of the Kingdom’s most prestigious universities.

“Our qualifications will help university stakeholders not only by equipping them with up-to-date knowledge on the financial services sector, but more importantly imbibing the importance of work ethics and professional integrity in the profession.”

Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Ohali, president King Faisal University. said: “With Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aiming for a knowledge-based economy evident with increased employment rate and international competitiveness, we believe that education is the best investment for the future of the financial services profession.

"It is the CISI’s ongoing commitment to educate the next generation of financial services practitioners on the significance of professionalism and integrity that is crucial to the financial workforce in the region and worldwide.”