The UK Securities & Investment Institute (SII) has accredited the DIFX Academy to provide training in benchmark qualifications that are taken by thousands of financial services staff globally each year.
The DIFX will offer the SII’s technical units in Investment Management and Derivatives from the SII Certificate suite.
In addition the SII and the DIFX Academy are developing a regulatory exam that will include the environment in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), where the DIFX is located. This exam will be based largely on the requirements of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), which regulates financial services in the DIFC to international standards.
Ruth Martin, Managing Director of the SII, said “The SII is delighted to be able to contribute its expertise in enabling the DIFX Academy to offer a rigorous and internationally recognized examination framework, to support the growth of Dubai as a financial centre in the global economy.”
The qualifications will enable financial services workers in Dubai and elsewhere in the DIFX region to further their professional development. Candidates will be able to take intensive courses in Dubai and take an examination at a Computer Based Testing centre located at the Dubai Knowledge Village.
Nasser Alshaali, Chief Operating Officer of the DIFX, said: “With the setting up of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and the DIFX, demand for qualified finance professionals is increasing quickly. As more financial institutions come into the DIFC they need staff with world class skills and training.”
Pauline Olson, Head of DIFX Academy, said: "These exams are a huge step forward for financial training in the region. They will complement the training already provided by the Academy in areas such as Islamic finance and trading."
About DIFX
The DIFX is the region’s first international financial exchange for equities, bonds, Islamic products, funds, index products and derivatives. The target areas of the DIFX for seeking issuers include the Middle East and North Africa, as well as South Africa, Turkey and the Indian sub-continent.
The exchange launched in September 2005 and currently has 10 Member banks – Barclays Capital, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, EFG-Hermes, HSBC, KAS BANK, Morgan Stanley, SHUAA Capital and UBS
The regulator of the DIFX is the Dubai Financial Services Authority. The DIFX is located in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and its owner is the DIFC Authority. www.difx.ae
SII
The Securities & Investment Institute (www.sii.org.uk) was formed in 1992 by members of the London Stock Exchange. Its mission is to set standards of professional excellence and integrity for the securities and investment industry, providing qualifications and promoting the highest level of competence to its members, firms and others.
The Securities & Investment Institute is now the pre-eminent professional body for those who work in the securities and investment industry in the UK. Over 16,000 members benefit from a programme of professional training and development. The Institute is the principal awarding body for industry qualifications and last year its examinations attracted 35,000 candidates.
The Securities & Investment Institute is also a registered charity.
Charitable Objectives:
• to promote for the public benefit, the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in the field of securities and investments
• to develop high ethical standards for practitioners in securities and investments and to promote such standards in the UK and overseas.
•to act as an authoritative body for the purpose of consultation and research in matters of education or public interest concerning investment in securities
