Department of Finance Organizes “Finance at Work” Webinar

The Department of Finance at the College of Business Administration (CBA) recently organized a webinar on ‘Finance at Work’. The webinar was hosted by Dr. Rajesh Mohnot, Head of the Finance Department, Ms. Kiran Zafar, Assistant Instructor, Mr. Mohammad Nizarudeen, AU Student Recruitment Coordinator, and senior Finance students Ms. Nourhan Barafi and Mr. Dani George. The webinar was attended by senior high school students from across the UAE.

In his presentation, Dr. Rajesh highlighted advancements in the field of finance and the growing importance of the Finance discipline in contemporary job markets.

Ms. Nourhan Barafi and Mr. Dani George shared their experiences at AU.  Nourhan expressed her excitement at the opportunity to take the students along with her on her four-year journey at Ajman University, “When I graduated from high school, I faced a major life-changing decision that all of you will go through, and it was: What career path do I want to take? I found an undeniable pull towards business and the world of finance.” She added that studying finance opens doors to a world of diverse career opportunities. Finance professionals are in high demand across various industries, from banking and investment firms to multinational corporations and government agencies.

Ms. Nourhan also reminisced about various extracurricular activities she participated in as a student, including competitions organized by PwC Academy and by CBA’s Finance and Accounting Club (FACT). She added, “We had online classes with students from the University of Portland in the USA. The most challenging part was trying to work on timing for both universities because of the major difference in time zones.”

When addressing the students, Dani shared how he began his journey as a finance student:  Choosing what field to go for can be really stressful and I can relate to all of you. Back in the day when I graduated from high school, the most frequent and at times annoying question that I was asked was, What major are you going for, Dani? I was really fascinated with the stock market and all the fun aspects of trading and buying/selling stocks and let’s be honest, making lots of money. In time I figured out that studying finance provides you with a solid foundation in business, economics, and analytical skills that are essential for success in today's competitive landscape. This drive in me for a better future and doing what I love cemented my decision in choosing finance as my major.’

Dani also highlighted the various initiatives by the finance department that allowed him to hone his skills. He added, “I am currently a part of the ESG Trading Initiative which is a learning experience supported by HSBC Middle East and BMO Financial Group Finance Research & Trading. It is a simulation platform for online trading. Our college also introduced us to the IAESTE training/internship opportunity which can allow us to develop our skills overseas and enhance our resumes which is vital today in the market. I am here to break all stereotypes about finance being such a difficult major. I repeat, we do have fun as finance students.”

The webinar concluded with a Q&A session where the audience raised various questions ranging from study plan structure, admission requirements, employability, and faculty diversity to professional qualifications in the field of finance.

Participants found the session to be very insightful.