Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iqra University to promote mutual research, development and financial literacy initiatives while creating new opportunities for collaboration between academia and the capital-market industry. The agreement was signed by Iqra University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Nassar Ikram and PSX Chief Operating Officer Jawad Hashmi. Under the collaboration, PSX and Iqra University will work on research engagement involving university faculty members and research scholars, alongside financial literacy initiatives aimed at students. The partnership will also provide an avenue for academic and industry stakeholders to exchange knowledge on developments taking place across financial technology and capital markets. PSX has previously pursued similar academic partnerships, including MoUs with universities focused on financial literacy, joint research, courses, seminars and student engagement.
The MoU places particular attention on emerging areas that are increasingly relevant to Pakistan’s financial ecosystem. These include the application of Artificial Intelligence in stock market trading, Islamic FinTech, blockchain and cryptocurrencies. By bringing these subjects into academic and industry discussions, the collaboration can provide faculty members and research scholars with opportunities to examine how new technologies are being applied within financial markets. The agreement also creates a platform for students to gain greater exposure to capital-market concepts and financial literacy. PSX has maintained financial literacy and investor education as part of its outreach activities, with its awareness sessions covering savings and investments, different asset classes, the functioning of the stock exchange and access to market information through its digital platforms.
Following the signing ceremony, Prof. Dr. Nassar Ikram, Dean FEST Prof. Dr. Arshad Aziz, Associate Dean FEST Prof. Dr. Mansoor Ebrahim and senior Iqra University faculty members visited PSX facilities. The delegation held discussions with PSX representatives regarding potential areas for joint research and knowledge exchange. Such engagement provides an opportunity for academic research to connect with practical developments in Pakistan’s capital markets, particularly as technology changes the way investors access market information and participate in financial services. PSX has also provided market data and statistics to students conducting academic research on capital-market topics, while its investor-awareness activities have included university students and faculty members. These initiatives form part of the exchange’s broader efforts to promote financial knowledge and academic engagement with the capital-market ecosystem.
The collaboration between PSX and Iqra University comes as financial technology continues to introduce new areas of research and discussion for capital-market institutions and academic organisations. Artificial intelligence, blockchain-based systems, cryptocurrencies and Islamic FinTech can raise questions around market operations, investment behaviour, financial products, regulation and technology adoption. Through the new MoU, researchers and students will have an opportunity to explore these subjects while maintaining a connection with an institution directly involved in Pakistan’s capital market. The partnership also extends PSX’s existing engagement with universities, which has included financial literacy programmes and academic collaborations. For Iqra University, the agreement provides a channel for faculty and research scholars to engage with industry knowledge, while students can gain greater exposure to financial markets and emerging developments in financial technology.
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