Muhammad Ashfaq

Prof. Muhammad Ashfaq is a Professor of Applied Sciences at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, with over 16 years of international experience in business, finance, and academia. He holds a PhD from the University of Tübingen (Germany) and an MBA from Coburg University (Germany), specializing in Financial Management and Islamic Banking. His research focuses on FinTech, Islamic Finance, Sustainable Banking, and Blockchain technologies. He has held visiting faculty roles at LSI Business School Cambodia and Coburg University’s international MBA program.

Education

• PhD: 'Knowledge, Attitude and Practices toward Islamic Banking and Finance: An Empirical Analysis of Retail Consumers in Germany' (University of Tübingen, 2016)
• MBA in Financial Management (Coburg University, Germany)
• Post Graduate Diploma in Islamic Banking and Finance

Research Interests: Explores digital transformation in financial systems, cryptocurrency regulation, AI applications in banking, and ethical finance frameworks. His work bridges theoretical finance with practical implementations in GCC, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions. He emphasizes sustainable finance solutions aligned with Sharia principles.

Professional Contributions: Pioneered curriculum development for finance programs in the Netherlands, Pakistan, Cambodia, and Germany. Specializes in cross-border academic collaboration, accreditation processes (Bologna, German, Dutch systems), and digital innovation in education. Holds leadership roles in operational management and stakeholder coordination across multinational institutions.

Awards & Recognition

• Young Scholars Research Award (Bilkent University, 2015)
• LGFW Scholarship (PhD, University of Tübingen)

Teaching & Industrial Experience: Taught courses on Global Halal Industry, Strategic Management, and Supply Chain Operations. Advised multinational corporations like Pfizer and Amanah IIFE. Expertise in change management, digital transformation, and entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Labs & Teams: Leads research initiatives on FinTech adoption patterns and Islamic finance digitization, collaborating with international think-tanks and financial regulators.