Bio

I am Hamza, a diligent student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) at Curtin University Dubai. I have a deep-seated passion for financial markets that motivates my ambition to excel in investment management, corporate finance, and financial consultancy. My academic excellence has been recognized through a CGPA of 3.9/4.0, inclusion in the Vice Chancellor's List, and the receipt of an Academic Excellence Scholarship.

Throughout my academic journey, I've held pivotal leadership roles such as President of the Finance Club at Curtin and Vice President of the Student Council at the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance. These positions have enabled me to steer significant initiatives, foster teamwork among diverse groups, and make a constructive impact on my academic community.

In addition to my academic and leadership pursuits, I've amassed hands-on experience in the finance sector through varied projects in portfolio management, stock analysis, and case study development. As an Assurance Intern at PwC's Academy, I successfully edited and curated over 3,000 multilingual PowerPoint slides across several projects, collaborated with Assurance teams to enhance content flow and visual storytelling, and consistently met tight deadlines while ensuring high-quality presentations. Utilizing innovative visual design techniques, I transformed complex data into easily digestible infographics, thereby improving the effectiveness of presentations.

Earlier in my career, I honed my adaptability and strategic planning skills as a Business Development Consultant Intern at Cultural Infusion, where I conducted needs-analysis and market research for the UAE market.

Always eager to expand my knowledge, I am presently a Level 1 Candidate in the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program. This zeal for learning has led me to earn multiple certifications from esteemed platforms and organizations like Coursera, Practera, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the Corporate Finance Institute, testifying to my understanding of fundamental business and finance concepts.

Beyond my academic and professional life, I am committed to community involvement and actively engage in volunteer work. My roles as a Volunteer Mentor at Eduscan Group and Fundraising Coordinator at Emirates Red Crescent highlight my dedication to social causes. Additionally, I relish sharing my knowledge and insights about finance and investments through blogging. In my leisure time, I enjoy staying active with football and maintaining a balanced lifestyle as a fitness enthusiast.

My Values

Dedication

Unwavering commitment to academic and professional pursuits, reflected in my strong GPA, active leadership roles, and pursuit of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification.

Leadership

Proven leadership skills and collaboration abilities developed through my roles as President of the Finance Club and Vice President of the Student Council.

Social Responsibility

Strong dedication to community service and giving back, demonstrated by my active volunteer roles with Eduscan Group and Emirates Red Crescent.

Behind the Numbers: My Personal and Academic Reflections

Q: Why did I choose finance as my major?
A: Finance captivated me due to my love for math, my fascination with concepts like the time value of money and compounding, and the promising career prospects in the financial sector. Additionally, guidance from my father and my own research reinforced this choice.

Q: What have been some of my notable achievements during my academic journey?
A: I've maintained a CGPA of 3.9/4.0 at Curtin University Dubai, earning a spot on the Vice Chancellor's List and receiving an Academic Excellence Scholarship. My leadership qualities have been acknowledged through roles such as the President of the Finance Club at Curtin and Vice President of the Student Council at the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance.

Q: How have I applied my academic knowledge in real-world settings?
A: I've gained hands-on experience in finance through diverse projects encompassing portfolio management, stock analysis, and case study development. As an Assurance Intern at PwC's Academy, I edited and curated multilingual PowerPoint slides, collaborated with teams to enhance content, and utilized innovative visual design techniques for presentations. Earlier, as a Business Development Consultant Intern at Cultural Infusion, I conducted market research and needs-analysis for the UAE market.

Q: Why am I passionate about continuing my education and seeking professional certifications?
A: I believe in the value of continuous learning. I'm currently a Level 1 Candidate in the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program. Additionally, I aim to achieve both the CFA and the Financial Risk Manager (FRM) designations. These are essential for unlocking countless opportunities in the finance world and establishing my name in the industry.

Q: What are my future career aspirations?
A: I'm driven to excel in investment management, corporate finance, and financial consultancy. My passion lies in exploring the financial markets and facilitating business success. I hope to work as a Consultant at PwC, and if circumstances change, at other prestigious global institutions like KPMG, E&Y, Deloitte, and the like.

Q: How have I contributed to my academic community?
A: At the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance, I served as the President and spokesperson for students in the foundation year programme. With my fellow student council members, I organized extracurricular activities, workshops, and talks to bolster both the social and academic experiences of my peers.

Q: How do I spend my leisure time and what are some of my personal interests?
A: Beyond my academic and professional endeavors, I'm deeply involved in community service, having served as a Volunteer Mentor at Eduscan Group and as a Fundraising Coordinator at Emirates Red Crescent. I cherish sharing my insights about finance through blogging. I also have a penchant for football and embrace a fitness-driven lifestyle. Listening to anasheed and relishing the feel of sea breeze are among my favorite pastimes.

Q: How have personal experiences shaped my approach to self-development?
A: My journey of self-improvement began with introspection and a determination to embrace my true self. I sought knowledge, such as through courses like "the science of well-being" on Coursera, which elucidated the essence of happiness. This has driven me to seize every opportunity to enhance not only myself but also my peers in social, academic, and spiritual realms.