Friday, May 14, 2010

Finance professor awarded Fulbright to study Islamic banking and financial markets

Dr Inayat U. Mangla, professor of finance, has been awarded a prestigious U.S. Fulbright Research Award by the U.S. Department of State for his work on Islamic banking and finance. For his research, he will travel to Malaysia, Singapore and Pakistan to study their Islamic banking and financial market practices.

"Malaysia and Pakistan in particular are the so-called 'hubs' of Islamic banking and finance," says Mangla.

“To receive this award is an honor, not only to the individual, but also to the institution which he serves,” says Dr. Ajay Samant, interim dean of the college. “What makes Dr. Mangla’s achievement particularly unique is that this is the third time he has been awarded the Fulbright Research Award."

Mangla's prior awards were in 1973 and 2002.

Mangla earned his Ph.D from Michigan State University and worked as assistant professor at the University of New Brunswick and York University in Canada before coming to WMU in 1985. Mangla has published numerous articles in various journals including Journal of Asia-Pacific Business, Financial Analysts Journal, Journal of Financial Strategic Decisions, Journal of Applied Economics and Pakistan Development Review. His principal teaching areas are financial markets, management of financial institutions, capital markets and financial management.

Fulbright grants are made to U.S. citizens and nationals of other countries for a variety of educational activities, primarily university lecturing, advanced research, graduate study and teaching in elementary and secondary schools.