ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) on Friday inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) document with Government College University Lahore (GCU), Kinnaird College for Women (KC) and Beaconhouse National University (BNU) to create a collaborative platform to disseminate financial education to students at university level. The MoUs signed in exclusive ceremonies hosted by GCU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Hassan Amir Shah, KC Principal Professor Dr Rukhsana David and BNU Vice Chancellor Shahid Hafiz Kardar signed MoUs respectively. SECP Commissioner Shauzab Ali represented the SECP along with Investor Education and International Relations Department Executive Director Khalida Habib. The continuing series of MoUs is yet another breakthrough under SECP’s ongoing financial literacy and investor awareness campaign titled Jamapunji, amassing 38 MoUs with leading HEC recognised universities, professional bodies, research institutes and think tanks. In this regard, multiple activities such as research projects, development of academic research and case studies, seminars, webinars, and panel discussions for student and Faculty Development Programs (FDPs) for faculty members will be organised. SECP Commissioner Shauzab Ali appreciated the enthusiastic welcome extended by the concerned university authorities and resolved to develop strong educational ties with these universities for increasing financial knowledge for students and faculty. He highlighted the importance of keeping up with emerging trends to improve outreach in line with international standards. The commissioner particularly stressed on the need for developing keen realisation in students for personal financial planning and early savings, adding that such initiatives are vital to increase the capital market investor base in Pakistan. While committing to extending their complete support Dr Rukhsana David highlighted the role of female students in developing an early savings discipline in their personal and family lives, avail insights to become astute corporate leaders and entrepreneurs in the future landscape of Pakistan. Dr Hassan Amir Shah spoke about the importance of benefiting from SECPs guidance to its budding entrepreneurs to be housed at GCU’s Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation (ORIC) in addition to bridging the corporate academia gap. Sharing his experience as an illustrious regulator, Mr. Kardar had an insightful discussion with the SECP contingent on policy matters of national interest and how academia can partner with financial sector regulators to benefit the general public and in particular small and medium sized investors. The university heads lauded the ongoing efforts by SECP and showed committed to supporting initiatives charted in the MoU with the resolve to propel SECPs investor education drive. Published in Daily Times, June 30th 2018.