UNIVERSITI Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Accounting Research Institute director Professor Dr Normah Omar has been recognised as one of the most influential women in Islamic finance for her passion in Islamic financial criminology.
Normah, who was given the award by the Cambridge International Finance Advisory, was ranked second after Bank Rakyat chairman Datuk Noripah Kamso.
Cambridge International Finance Advisory is a United Kingdom-based organisation that provides strategic advice to governments, financial institutions and multilateral organisations in the development of financial markets.
Normah received her prize during the inaugural 2nd WOMANi Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, recently.
She is a pioneer in her field and has contributed immensely in making Malaysia a hub for Islamic finance.
Under her leadership, the UiTM Accounting Research Institute was recognised as a Higher-Learning Institution Centre of Excellence by the Higher Education Ministry in 2010 and until today, it continues to prioritise Islamic finance in its research agenda.
In 2017, Normah became the first woman selected by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to join its Anti-Corruption Certification Programme.
In addition to holding national positions, she is also passionate in elevating the status of women entrepreneurs.
She continues to mentor dozens of academics, and her advice is highly sought-after by influential thought leaders.
Normah is no stranger to international awards. In 2016, she was named “Game-changer of the Year” by ACQ London.
In 2017, she received the Global Good Governance Award for excellence in higher education in the United Arab Emirates, and the Advocacy of Islamic Financial Criminology Award in Kazakhstan.
Normah is indeed a shining example and has rightfully earned her place in the 10 most influential women in Islamic finance.
In tandem with her expertise, she works with various governments and professional agencies, such as MACC, the police, Customs Department, Institute of Integrity, Malaysian Institute of Corporate Governance, CPA Australia, Association of Fraud Examiners, Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists, Association of Bankers Malaysia, Association of Islamic Banking Institutions Malaysia and many others.
The WOMANi dinner and awards ceremony was attended by Islamic banking and finance professionals from around the world, including Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Malaysia, the United States, Europe, Indonesia and Pakistan.