The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) and The Academy of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) have partnered to deliver internationally recognised Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes through workshops and training sessions, aimed at building current knowledge and skills amongst professionals working at firms based in the DIFC.
With the recent mandate of CPD compliance in the DIFC by its regulator the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), the partnership will provide financial services professionals in the country with a full range of world-class CPD education choices, facilitating the advancement and dissemination of relevant and current knowledge.
The partnership will also assist DIFC-based firms with meeting their annual CPD requirements through CISI-led CPD events including seminars and workshops at The Academy. Delivered every month, these events are aimed at people looking to gain a deeper understanding of the profession and the regulated financial services profession.
“For over ten years in the UAE, the CISI has been providing high quality CPD to 
financial services professionals, and this partnership with DIFC’s The Academy will help us bring this knowledge to employees at DIFC firms. We are keen to achieve our common goal of taking the UAE’s financial services profession to new heights through upskilling practitioners by way of this partnership. I look forward to working together to share our combined expertise and experience to build the financial services community further,” said Matthew Cowan (right) Chartered MCSI, Regional Director at the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment Middle East & South East Asia.
The partnership will also guarantee the selection of the most relevant and well-known speakers and trainers for the CPD events, which will focus on providing senior executive officers, compliance officers and money laundering reporting officers, amongst others, with the latest insights on critical topics.
“Welcoming the CISI to our growing network of professional bodies makes it easier for DIFC professionals to meet their DFSA-mandated CPD requirements. Through this, we are putting the spotlight firmly on CPD, an essential part of any profession but especially financial services, in order to ensure UAE residents and firms receive trustworthy and quality service from practitioners. We are delighted to work hand in hand with the CISI as we move towards a knowledge-based economy in the UAE,” said Alya Hussein AlZarouni, Executive Vice President, Operations at the DIFC.