IUS Hosts International Conference on Ethical Finance, Innovation, and Sustainable Growth
On Wednesday and Thursday, June 18–19, 2025, the International University of Sarajevo (IUS) hosted the international conference “Values for Impact: Ethical Finance, Innovation and Sustainable Growth”, in cooperation with the University of Dundee (United Kingdom), Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University (Türkiye), IIUM, UIS, and INCEIF (Malaysia), as well as the Center for Advanced Studies (Sarajevo).
The conference was officially opened by IUS Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yıldırım, who emphasized that the event reflects strong collaboration among several universities and strategic partners. He expressed gratitude to the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) as a key partner, Kuveyt Türk Bank as the platinum sponsor, and BH Telecom for sponsoring the panel on artificial intelligence.
Dr. Sami Al Suwailam, Director of the Islamic Development Bank Institute, addressed the audience and highlighted the Institute’s significant role in advancing the Islamic finance industry. Dr. Ahmet Albayrak, Executive Director of Kuveyt Türk Bank, also spoke, noting that events like this bring together global experts dedicated to strengthening the moral foundations of economic development and supporting the digital transformation of finance.
Among the distinguished guests were three recipients of the Islamic Development Bank Prize in Islamic Economics, who added further value and insight to the discussions:
- Dr. Mehmet Asutay, Professor of Middle Eastern and Islamic Political Economy and Finance, Durham Centre for Islamic Economics and Finance, Durham University Business School, United Kingdom
- Dr. Mohammad Kabir Hassan, Professor of Economics and Finance, University of New Orleans, United States
- Dr. Habib Ahmed, Sharjah Chair in Islamic Law and Finance, Durham University Business School, United Kingdom
The two-day conference brought together over 160 participants - including academics, industry professionals, policymakers, and representatives of international organizations - from more than 20 countries. The event fostered meaningful dialogue on reshaping the financial system through ethical principles, technological innovation, and sustainability.
