GIFT University

About Pakistan

GIFT


	About Pakistan

MBA Banking and Finance

GIFT Business School (GBS) aims to produce graduates with excellent academic and profession skills suitable for the academic as well as the corporate sector in the areas of Banking and Finance. The primary mission of GBS is to teach through modern techniques and to conduct independent research so as to advance, transmit and sustain knowledge in business. GBS has strong links with stock exchanges, banks, financial institutions, non-banking institutions, industry and academia. This is evident from the large number of graduates working in banks and industry.

Why Choose Banking and Finance as a Career

The financial sector of Pakistan has evolved into a more progressive and dynamic segment of the economy. In response to the growing demands of financial globalization, Pakistan's financial system is starting to integrate with international financial markets. Pakistan has three stock exchanges based at Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi and its own commodity exchange. Financial sector assets have recorded a remarkable growth in recent years. Strong growth of mutual funds, insurance companies, leasing companies, discount houses and venture capital companies is largely attributed to the improved performance of the domestic financial markets and points to the gradual but steadfast process of diversification of the financial sector. These developments augur well for financial stability as well as meeting the goal of enhancing financial services penetration.

Similarly, the banking industry of Pakistan is one of the best performing sectors of Pakistan and Asia and is considered as one of the most profitable banking sectors of the world. The great growth potential is evidence by the recent entry of foreign banks in Pakistan that has made the industry very promising. Commercial banks in Pakistan operate on a sound capital base with a commendable record of financial performance, particularly in the last 3 years. In Jul-Dec 2007/08 financial year, total number of branches of banks was 8233 as compared to 7890 in 2006-07.

Assets of all banks showed a net expansion of Rs.203.1 billion in the first six months of FY 07/08 and stood at Rs.5155 billion as compared to Rs.4351 billion in the same period of last year. The total deposits of all banks registered an increase of Rs.168 billion in the first six months of FY 07/08 and reached at the level of Rs.3852 billion as compared to Rs.3255 billion recorded in the same period of last year.Net investment of the banks showed an increase of Rs.95 billion in Jul-Dec FY 07/08 mainly contributed by the private banks amounting to Rs.934 billion as compared to Rs.601 billion for the six months of last year. The Government of Pakistan pledged greater opening of its banking sector by 2009. The new vibrant growth of banking sector will bring real benefits in the form of fresh capital, more competition and new financial products, yet it will introduce new financial risks and challenges.

The industry needs professionals with right set of skills and competency, who can manage the change at a greater pace and can improvise efficient and feasible solutions. The banking and finance professionals will play the key role in successfully propelling the growth and reforms in this sector. The MBA (Banking and Finance) program at GIFT is designed to develop the competent banking and finance professionals so that it can satiate the need of talent in the sector. The program aims to develop professionally qualified and committed banking and finance professional through rigorous curriculum and practical exposure

Unique Features of the Program

MBA (Banking and Finance) degree offers a broad - based curriculum focusing on the dynamics of commercial, developmental and investment banking and finance as being practiced today and also those likely to emerge in the medium term of next 3 - 5 years. The program focuses on development of strong analytical, quantitative, problem-solving, interpersonal, and decision-making skills and proficiency in the use of computers which are necessary for aspiring banking and finance professionals.

The emphasis on commercial banking and international finance aims to prepare students for careers in the financial sector and banking management, money management, investments and securities brokerage, financial analysis of investments and financial institutional operation. Individuals who prefer working with people and developing a financial and banking career will find this emphasis worthwhile.

The finance and accounting component of the program equally supports the graduates in pursuing a career as Financial Managers or Financial Analysts, Accounting Managers, Corporate Controllers, Chief Financial Officers, Cash Managers, Treasurers and Finance Officers, Risk and Insurance Managers, Management Consultants, Investment Bankers, Investment Banking Associates, Investment Sales Associates and Traders and Credit Managers. It also prepares students for entry into prestigious professional CA and CFA programs.

The rigorous, focused and closely supervised internship in a financial institution provides students' enormous exposure of business environment and an opportunity to apply and test the theoretical concepts in the real life situation.

Eligibility Criteria

The University welcomes applications from students who have successfully completed their 14 years of education. The more specific admission criterion is:

Minimum 2nd division in B.A/ B.Sc./B.Com./BBA or any other equivalent 14 year degree approved by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.

The students holding any of the above mentioned degrees are required to appear in a test designed by the University. The short listed candidates are interviewed and students clearing that interview would be selected.

Students who have completed BBA (Hons) or B.Sc. (Hons) and M.Sc. (Accounting and Finance) from GIFT University or from any other university are also encouraged to apply. The program structure ensures that GIFT graduates with an honours degree either in accounting and finance or management sciences or a master's degree in accounting and finance will complete MBA (Banking and Finance) in 2 semesters. However, students with professional qualification or those with 16 years of education in a relevant area are eligible to claim exemptions for the courses completed.

Program Structure

The 2 years MBA (Banking and Finance) consists of 24 taught courses and a compulsory internship (3 credit hours) in a commercial organization (preferably financial institution). The program comprises of 75 credit hours with up to 10 courses in Banking and Finance.