Research & Consultancy
Research Enabling Initiatives
Research & Consultancy delivers expert insights, data-driven solutions, and strategic guidance to help organizations innovate, grow, and make informed decisions.
Research Enabling Initiatives
The College of Banking and Financial Studies (CBFS) actively promotes research through a range of enabling initiatives. These include taskforces, research groups, seminars, grants, collaborations, and faculty development programs. By fostering scholarly activities for both faculty and students, CBFS strengthens research capacity, enhances knowledge transfer, and supports impactful academic contributions.
Research Taskforce
The Research Taskforce is constituted to assist the College in developing research strategies and promoting excellence in research. Its primary role is to provide information, advice, and recommendations that sustain high-quality research. The taskforce also works to identify faculty members’ needs, assess available resources for academic research, and determine research activities that align with the strategic plan of the College.
Research Interest Group
Research Interest Groups (RIGs) bring together faculty members working on common themes or areas of study. These groups provide a collaborative space for discussing challenges, sharing best practices, and encouraging innovative ideas. They serve as a platform for collaborative research, increasing the visibility of the College’s contributions. Each group is led by a group leader who coordinates activities and ensures progress in the chosen research area.
The objectives of RIGs include promoting faculty research interests, providing opportunities to present and refine research, creating a forum for academic exchange, and enhancing the likelihood of publication in peer-reviewed journals.
Research Interest Group
Research Interest Groups (RIGs) bring together faculty members working on common themes or areas of study. These groups provide a collaborative space for discussing challenges, sharing best practices, and encouraging innovative ideas. They serve as a platform for collaborative research, increasing the visibility of the College’s contributions. Each group is led by a group leader who coordinates activities and ensures progress in the chosen research area.
The objectives of RIGs include promoting faculty research interests, providing opportunities to present and refine research, creating a forum for academic exchange, and enhancing the likelihood of publication in peer-reviewed journals.
| Sl. No. | Research Interest Group | Faculty Members (Group Leader) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Human Resources | Mr. Saji Luka (GR) |
| Ms. Marta Owen | ||
| 2 | Accounting | Ms. Sujatha Bhat (GR) |
| Mr. Mohammed Farazan | ||
| Mr. Moharanjithan Ganendran | ||
| Ms. Shobna Gupta | ||
| 3 | Banking & Finance | Dr. Salman Nusrat (GR) |
| Dr. Anand. S. | ||
| Dr. Roslyn Lazarus | ||
| Ms. Joyce Francis Noronha | ||
| Ms. Sujatha Suresh | ||
| 4 | Islamic Finance | Mr. Mughees Shaukat (GR) |
| Ms. Fatin Said Al Zadjali | ||
| Mr. Hibathul Careem FerosKhan | ||
| 5 | Business & Management | Mr. Sayyid Mohammed Danish (GR) |
| Dr. Yasmeen Shanan Al Balushi | ||
| Mr. Niranjan Shetty | ||
| 6 | Marketing | Dr. Swaroop Simha (GR) |
| Mr. Anis Moosa Al Lawati | ||
| Mr. Thangarasa Rohanarage | ||
| 7 | Economics and Others | Dr. Omer Ibrahim (GR) |
| Ms. Sonal Devesh | ||
| Mr. Vaheed Z. Ubaidullah | ||
| 8 | Information Technology | Ms. Priya Gopal (GR) |
| Mr. Mirza Jamal | ||
| 9 | English Language & Education | Dr. Ashok Kumar G Nair (GR) |
| Dr. Binu Mathew | ||
| Ms. Runita Marwah |
Faculty Research Interest Seminars
To nurture a scholarly environment, Faculty Research Interest Seminars (FRIS) are conducted monthly at the College. During these sessions, faculty members present either completed or ongoing research papers. The seminars provide presenters with an opportunity to share knowledge, receive constructive feedback, and refine their work. They also serve as a structured forum for academic exchange, enabling faculty to engage in meaningful discussions that can lead to improved publication outcomes in respected journals.
2014 - 15
| Sl. No. | Title of the Paper presented | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Risk, Uncertainty and ambiguity: The Financial System in the age of Black Swans | Mr. Mughees Shaukat |
| 2 | Social Media Marketing | Ms. Anupam Arora |
| 3 | Impact & Role of SME bank loans in Oman | Dr. Salman Nusrat |
| 4 | 360-degree Appraisal System: a Weapon or Tool? | Dr. Binu Mathew |
| 5 | Financial Inclusion through Self Help Group Bank linkage models | Mr. Niranjan Shetty |
| 6 | "Break Structures in Beta" | Mr. Vaheed Zaman Ubaidullah |
2015 - 16
| Sl. No. | Title of the Paper presented | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Employee Engagement: Times Change, Values don’t | Mr. Saji Luka |
| 2 | Consumer Purchase behavior towards non-durable products in the Middle East region | Mr. Thangarase Rohanraj |
| 3 | Green Computing: Current and Future Trends | Ms. Priya Gopal |
| 4 | Autonomous Learning: Independent Language Learning Skills Framework | Dr. Ashok Kumar Nair |
| 5 | Sustainability Reporting in Oman – A local perspective | Mr. Farzan
Mr. Gnanendran Ms. Shobhna Ms. Sujatha Bhat Bhat |
| 6 | An Evaluation on the Effectiveness of College of Banking and Financial Studies Training Programs on Banking Sectors in the Sultanate of Oman | Ms. Siham Sinawi |
| 7 | Critical Success Factors of TQM in Higher Education Institutions Context | Dr. Zaynab Shukri Nadim |
| 8 | Personal Debt Management – Awareness & its Impact | Ms. Shobhna
Dr. Salman |
Internal Research Grants (IRG)
The Internal Research Grants (IRG) scheme is the primary funding source for faculty research at the College. These grants support small projects, enabling faculty members to strengthen their research skills, build competencies, and produce quality academic work. By providing financial assistance, the College encourages innovative research while promoting publications in leading journals.
In the academic year 2015–16, ten proposals were approved for funding. The projects covered diverse topics, ranging from sustainability reporting and restrictive labor regulations to entrepreneurship in higher education, IPO performance, customer satisfaction in banking, growth of Islamic banks, and the effectiveness of online banking services in Oman.
2015-16
| Sl. No. | Title of the granted research projects |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sustainability Reporting in Oman – A local perspective |
| 2 | Restrictive Labor Regulations: Issues and Success Factors – A Case Study of Oman |
| 3 | Assessment of the impact of entrepreneurship programs in higher education in Oman |
| 4 | The Relevance of Foundation Studies to the Needs of the Omani Job Market |
| 5 | Performance of Initial Public Offerings: Evidence from companies listed on Muscat Stock Exchange |
| 6 | A comparative study of Banking Stocks with MSM 30 share index |
| 7 | Customer Satisfaction and Service Quality-An Empirical Study on Banks in Oman |
| 8 | Measuring the financial growth of Islamic Banks and Compliance to Maqasid Al-Shariah |
| 9 | Comparative Study on the best Marketing practices of Islamic Banking Vs. Conventional Banking |
| 10 | Effectiveness of Online Banking Service in the Sultanate of Oman. – Study of significance of online banking services performances and strategies |
Research Collaborations
The College actively seeks partnerships with international universities, institutes, and organizations to promote joint research. These collaborations are designed to enhance research capacity, facilitate the transfer of knowledge, expand global reach, and contribute to sustainable revenue generation
Faculty Research Publications
Faculty publications include peer-reviewed journal articles, edited books, and contributions to professional magazines. The period 2014–16 saw significant research output across disciplines.
2014-15
| Sl. No. | Title | Journal | Authors | Date of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wavelet Analysis of Deposit Returns. Conventional and Islamic Contingency: the Malaysian Saga | The Journal of Islamic Banking and Finance. Vol. 31 April-June 2014 Issue No. 2, Karachi, Pakistan. | Mughees Shaukat | April-June 2014 |
| 2 | Managing India’s Foreign Direct Investment Outflows into Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: a case of Sultanate of Oman | International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences | Hasinul Hassan Siddique | April 2014 |
| 3 | Impact and Role of SME Bank loans in Oman | International Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences | Dr Salman Nusrat/ Mr John Tilak | April 2014 |
| 4 | Correlation between crude oil prices and sukuk index: evidence from dow jones city group sukuk index | OIIBF monogram. Oxford University. U.K. | Mughees Shaukat, Abdel kader el Alaoui, AbdeslameLasri and Prof. Datuk Syed Othman Alhabshi | June/July 2014 |
| 5 | Challenges Faced in the Effective Utilisation of Multimedia labs in Oman | International Journal of Arts and Science, USA | Runita MarwaAshok Kumar | August 2014 |
| 6 | A brief on Islamic approach to money and finance | Islamic Finance-IFN Monthly Islamic Magazine, MalaysiaVolume 11,Issue 33 | Mughees Shaukat | August 2014 |
| 7 | Work related quality of life for bankers in Oman | International Journal of Applied Research in Business Administration and Economics (2014), 03(02): 20–26. | Ms. Zaynab Shukri Nadim, Ms. Smith Mohan, Dr. Chintan Joshi | September 2014 |
| 8 | Financing Economic growth with stability from Islamic Perspective | Journal of Islamic Business and Management Vol.4 No.2 | Mughees Shaukat, Prof. Zubair Hasan, Prof Datuk Syed Othman Alhabshi | December, 2014 |
| 9 | The Effects of Communication to change on the organizational commitment | 9th International Scientific Conference volume “Economic and Social Development” | Ms Zaynab Shukri Nadim | April 2015 |
| 10 | Financial exclusion: concept, causes & consequences A tri-dimensional literature analysis | Volume 4, Number 1, January – March’ 2015 ISSN (Print):2279-0896, | Mr. Niranjan Shetty & Dr. Prakash Pinto | January -March 2015 |
2015-16
| Sl. No. | Research Title | Date of Publication | Name | Journal Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E-Commerce Fraud and its Implications in Present Banking Scenario | September 2015 | Dr. Salman Nusrat and Mr. Arun Mishra | Emerging Trends in Banking, Financial Services and Insurance Sector ISBN:9789382518556 |
| 2 | Financial Inclusion through SHG-BLP: a Case study of SKDRDP and NGVCT in India | September 2015 | Mr. Niranjan Shetty | World Review of Business Research Volume 5, No.3. September 2015 Issue. Pp 91-107 |
| 3 | Mathematical Competencies in Higher Education in Oman: A Critical Review | October 2015 | Ms. Sonal Devesh | International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 10, Number 18 (2015) |
| 4 | Motives and Determinants of FDI A VECM Analysis for Oman | November 2015 | Dr Omer Ibrahim Dr.Sufian Eltayeb Mohamed Abdel-Gadir | Global Business Review16(6) 936–946 © 2015 IMI SAGE Publications sagepub.in/home.nav DOI: 10.1177/0972150915597596 http://gbr.sagepub.com |
| 5 | Instability of Interest Bearing Debt Finance and the Islamic Finance Alternative1 | November 2015 | Mr. Mughees Shaukat Dr. Datuk Othman Alhabshi | Islamic Economic Studies Vol. 23, No. 2, November, 2015 pp 29-84 |
| 6 | The Islamic Perspective on Money, Capital, Interest and Profit | December 2015 | Mr. Mughees Shaukat | Business Today Magazine |
| 7 | Role of HRM,HRD and Training in Organisational Success | December 2015 | Dr. Rajesh Nayak | Banking Insight |
| 8 | On the Financial and Moral Superiority of Islamic Finance | March 2016 | Mr. Mughees Shaukat | International Journal of Financial Management, Vol (5) Issue (2), February – March 2016. Pp 31-54 ISSN: 2319-491X |
| 9 | Employability Skill Development At Preparatory Programmes: Current Situation, Implications And Solutions | March 2016 | Dr. Binu James Mathew | Global English-Oriented Research Journal (G E O R J) Critical & Creative Explorations/Practices in English Language, Literature, Linguistics & Education and Creative Writing Vol (1) Issue (4) pp 190-201 ISSN:2454-5511 |
| 10 | Critical Success Factors of TQM in Higher Education Institutions Context | April 2016 | Ms Zaynab Shukri Nadim,Mr. Ahmed Humaid Al-Hinai | International Journal of Applied Sciences and Management, Vol. 1, No. 2, 147-156, 2016. ISSN: 2413-3396 |
Faculty Conference Presentations
Faculty members regularly present research at regional and international conferences, enhancing the academic reputation of the College. Presentations have ranged from Islamic finance and sustainable operations to employability skills, digital marketing, and educational innovations.
2014-15
| Sl. No. | Title | Journal | Authors | Date of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wavelet Analysis of Deposit Returns. Conventional and Islamic Contingency: the Malaysian Saga | The Journal of Islamic Banking and Finance. Vol. 31 April-June 2014 Issue No. 2, Karachi, Pakistan. | Mughees Shaukat | April-June 2014 |
| 2 | Managing India’s Foreign Direct Investment Outflows into Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: a case of Sultanate of Oman | International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences | Hasinul Hassan Siddique | April 2014 |
| 3 | Impact and Role of SME Bank loans in Oman | International Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences | Dr Salman Nusrat/ Mr John Tilak | April 2014 |
| 4 | Correlation between crude oil prices and sukuk index: evidence from dow jones city group sukuk index | OIIBF monogram. Oxford University. U.K. | Mughees Shaukat, Abdel kader el Alaoui, AbdeslameLasri and Prof. Datuk Syed Othman Alhabshi | June/July 2014 |
| 5 | Challenges Faced in the Effective Utilisation of Multimedia labs in Oman | International Journal of Arts and Science, USA | Runita MarwaAshok Kumar | August 2014 |
| 6 | A brief on Islamic approach to money and finance | Islamic Finance-IFN Monthly Islamic Magazine, MalaysiaVolume 11,Issue 33 | Mughees Shaukat | August 2014 |
| 7 | Work related quality of life for bankers in Oman | International Journal of Applied Research in Business Administration and Economics (2014), 03(02): 20–26. | Ms. Zaynab Shukri Nadim, Ms. Smith Mohan, Dr. Chintan Joshi | September 2014 |
| 8 | Financing Economic growth with stability from Islamic Perspective | Journal of Islamic Business and Management Vol.4 No.2 | Mughees Shaukat, Prof. Zubair Hasan, Prof Datuk Syed Othman Alhabshi | December, 2014 |
| 9 | The Effects of Communication to change on the organizational commitment | 9th International Scientific Conference volume “Economic and Social Development” | Ms Zaynab Shukri Nadim | April 2015 |
| 10 | Financial exclusion: concept, causes & consequences A tri-dimensional literature analysis | Volume 4, Number 1, January – March’ 2015 ISSN (Print):2279-0896, | Mr. Niranjan Shetty & Dr. Prakash Pinto | January -March 2015 |
2015-16
| Sl. No. | Title of the Paper | Name | Conference Title | Conference Place & Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Role on Semiotics in Strategic Brand Management with reference to an Omani bank | Dr. Swaroop Simha | World Business Institute International Conference, Spain | Spain 14-15 September 2015 |
| 2 | It’s Now or Never – The Critical Need for Operations to become Sustainable and Strategies to achieve it | Mr Sayed Danish | Annual International Conference on Business, Marketing and Management AICBMM 2015 Oxford Conference, St. Anne’s College, Oxford, UK | UK 18 November 2015 |
| 3 | On The Financial And Moral Superiority Of Islamic Finance | Mr. Mughees Shaukat | The First Faith Based, Dubai International Business & Social Sciences Research Conference. | 23 UAE U 23 January 2016. |
| 4 | Autonomous Learning: Independent Language Learning Skills Framework | Dr Ashok Kumar G. Nair | International Seminar On New Trends In Language Using Technology | India 16-18 February 2016 |
| 5 | Consumer Perception towards digital marketing strategies in Oman | Mr. Thangarasa Rohanraj | International Conclave on Innovation in Engineering & Management | Oman 16-18 February, 2016 |
| 6 | Employability Skill Development At Preparatory Programmes: CurrentSituation, Implications And Solutions | Dr. Binu Mathew | TESOL Arabia International Conference, | UAE 12-14 March 2016. |
| 7 | Sustainable Computing in academic organizations in Oman: A Corporate Social Responsibility where cost-cutting and environmental concerns take backseat | Ms. Runitha Marwah | Business and Social Sciences Research Conference | UK 11-13 April 2016 |
| 8 | Emerging IT Trends- Receding Health | Ms.Sonal Devesh Ms. Runitha Marwah | Enhanced Technologies and Recent Trends in ICT Symposium ETRT-ICT 2016 | Oman 20-21 April 2016 |
| 9 | A Study focusing on the attitude of young omanis towards Business Incubation | Mr. Thangarasa Rohanraj Mr. H. C. Feroskhan | First symposium on “Business in Dhofar Region : Trends Opportunities and Challenges” | Oman 26 May 2016 |
| 10 | Islamic Finance and its Significancein Oman | Mr. Mughees Suakat | First symposium on “Business in Dhofar Region : Trends Opportunities and Challenges” | Oman 26 May 2016 |
| 11 | Self Help Group Model: A Strategy for Inclusive Growth | Mr. Niranjan Shetty | Third European Academic Research Conference on Global Business Economics Finance and Banking | France July 2-3, 2016 |
Corporate Seminars & Symposiums
The College has hosted several high-level seminars and symposiums. In April 2015, it organized Islamic Finance: Challenges and the Way Forward, inaugurated by H.E. Mr. Hamood bin Sangoor Al Zadjali, Executive President of the Central Bank of Oman, and featuring renowned keynote speakers. In October 2015, a seminar on Strategic Final Decision-Making in Corporate Governance was held in collaboration with PwC Oman. February 2016 saw the HR Forum: Managing Human Resources in a Changing Environment, attended by more than 300 participants from public and private sectors.
Edited Volume Book
As part of its knowledge transfer initiatives, the College published its first edited volume book in 2015–16 titled Banking Sectors in Oman: Strategic Issues, Challenges and Future Scenario. The book provides scholarly and practical insights into the evolving banking sector in Oman and has been recognized as a valuable academic resource.
Faculty Development Programmes (FDP)
The College conducts regular Faculty Development Programmes to strengthen academic and research skills. In 2014–15, FDPs focused on data analysis using SPSS at both basic and advanced levels. In June 2016, a one-day FDP on Writing Scientific Research Papers was conducted, covering methodology, sampling, case study applications, and guidance for writing publishable research.
Workshops
In December 2015, Dr. Obaid Al Saeedi from The Research Council (TRC), Oman delivered a session on research support, funding opportunities, proposal submissions, and online resources. Another interactive session in February 2016 familiarized students with TRC’s research programmes and opportunities.
Scholarly Activities for Students
The College also encourages student research through initiatives like the Student Research Project Competition (SREPCO). In 2016, SREPCO was held exclusively for College students, with awards and participation certificates presented during the College Open Day ceremony on March 22, 2016.