Westminster Business School Blog Meet the academics interview series : Dr. Abdelhafid BENAMRAOUI

Meet the academics interview series : Dr. Abdelhafid BENAMRAOUI

November 18, 2013
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Could you please describe yourself in a few sentences?

I am a principal lecturer in finance at the Westminster Business School. This is my 14th year as an academic and I joined University of Westminster in 2006. I completed my PhD in the area of Finance in 2003 from the University of Greenwich Business School.

What is your area of academic interest and which courses were you involved in?

My academic interests are in the field of banking and finance. Currently I am leading two undergraduate modules (Strategic Financial Management and Banking and Legal Compliance) and one post graduate module (Global Banking). I am also the course leader for the BSc Finance with Management and I am the teaching and learning champion of the Accounting, Finance and Governance department. In addition, I am an active researcher and my research interest is in the field of banking reforms and international finance.

Could you please tell us a bit about the courses that you are involved in?

The BSc Finance with Management, which I lead, is an innovative undergraduate programme designed for those who are aspired to work in the field of finance and management. The main features of the programme is the use of the Financial Market Suite, which gives real life experience of using financial and investment data through Bloomberg terminals. We also take our students for external visit to main financial institutions and markets in London, such as the Bank of England and the London Metal Exchange. The modules forming the programme are all designed at the high standard and enable students to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge for finance related job. This includes financial markets and institutions, financial securities evaluating, banking and corporate governance. In addition, we invite guest speakers from the financial sector and we run a number of employability workshops for our students in this programme. Students enrolled in this programme are also given the chance for placements and study aboard at one of our partner institutions in different countries across the globe. We have different financial data bases available to the students on the course including data stream and Fame and students have access to extensive academic journals and books in the school library. We take students views on board and we keep improving the content of the modules using different learning resources including the use of Blackboard, our virtual learning environment. All in all, the BSc Finance with Management is a rich and informative study programme.

What was your first job? What did you learn from it?

My first job was a small business manager. I learned how to handle different business situations and how to bring new initiatives to boost income and increase customer satisfaction. I also gained extensive knowledge in managing the business financial resources including pricing and cost control.

What did you do in your career before coming to Westminster Business School?

Before joining the Westminster Business School I was the acting Subject Leader in Accounting and Finance at the European Business School in London. My role was mainly in providing leadership to 13 academic staff in the subject area, staff recruitment, staff appraisal, but I was also involved in the delivery of one postgraduate module. Before this I was a Lecturer in Accounting and Finance at the same school for two years and half where I was leading two undergraduate modules and one postgraduate modules and I was also writing research articles. Before joining EBSL I was a part-time lecturer at the University of Greenwich Business School.

What advice would you give to the students during their studies and after graduation so that they make the right decisions for their career?

During the study programme I always remind my students that they do need to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to have the edge in the job market. I also tell them that they do need to work hard, to manage their time effectively and to have full use of the University learning facilities. When they apply for their future jobs I advise them to consider the job description and what it takes to do the job in terms of abilities and know-how. I affirm to them that they need to have both qualifications, and experience if possible, to stand for the job, particularly in the highly competitive job market we live in today. I also tell them to be confident and use their communication and interpersonal skills gained in the university in their job interview and to continue improving their abilities in their future work place.

If you were asked to give one piece of advice to students who are considering going into Post Graduate study what would that be?

I would advise the student(s) to go for the rich study programme in terms of learning outcomes and for postgraduate programmes with high potential to find jobs afterwards and I strongly believe finance and banking is one of them as financial services play a significant part in our economies today and the figures show that in the UK for example the financial sector is the main contributor to the national economy.

How do you relax out of work? What are your interests/leisure activities?

I am a Fitness First Club member where I tend to go at least three days a week to have some physical exercises. I also spend time with my wife and two little children and during the weekend we go for shopping and sometimes visit friends. Finally, I do like following the premier league and my favourite team is Manchester United.

Dr. Abdelhafid BENAMRAOUI Principal Lecturer in Finance and Course Leader BSc Finance with Management