In brief
On November 1, 2026, the University of Sharjah and Aafaq Islamic Finance announced a partnership that will offer scholarships, employment training, and research opportunities. The deal includes collaboration on Islamic finance studies and aims to help students gain practical experience. The agreement reflects a growing trend of universities working with industry to address global challenges.
On November 1, 2026, the University of Sharjah (UOS) and Aafaq Islamic Finance signed a long‑term partnership to boost student support. The agreement will provide scholarships, training, employment programmes and research collaboration, with the goal of advancing sustainable development and community service.
Prof. Esameldin Agamy, UOS Chancellor, said the alliance is needed as education evolves and society’s needs grow. He added that universities must keep pace with advances in financial management. He also praised Aafaq’s commitment to giving students scholarships and financial assistance so more can continue their studies.
"We are proud to collaborate with the University of Sharjah, and through this agreement we look forward to providing practical training opportunities for students, supporting educational initiatives, and strengthening the exchange of knowledge and expertise,"
Othman Basit, Chief Executive of Aafaq, highlighted that education and youth empowerment are core parts of Aafaq’s corporate social responsibility.
The partnership will allow UOS to recognise Aafaq as one of its student funding partners and to cooperate on research in Islamic finance, financial solutions, and advisory services. It also includes joint employment and training programmes that give students real workplace experience, a skill many employers seek when hiring fresh graduates.
UOS already offers a variety of scholarships, as listed on its scholarship portal, where students can find 26,000+ options for study and research. The new agreement is expected to expand these opportunities and create more specialized funding for students in finance and related fields.
Overall, the deal signals a broader trend of universities partnering with industry to prepare students for the workforce and to tackle global challenges through practical, research‑based learning.
