Sana Abdul Salam Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Gatehouse bank joined hands with Dar Al-Hekma College for the second time to provide a three-day workshop on real-estate investment to 15 MBA students from the college last week. The aim of the workshop was to help promote financial literacy and teach women about the fundamentals of investing so that they can make more informed decisions. According to the Azeemah Zaheer, vice president at Gatehouse Bank and an instructor on the workshop, “Women are gaining more and more financial influence in the Middle East, and as they become more economically independent the decision-making process has shifted to incorporate women's interests and motivations.” “Consequently, it is essential that they are fully equipped with the right knowledge and tools to make smart decisions regarding investment, to really maximize the long term benefits of playing a more active role in business and investment decisions,” added Zaheer. The instructors focused on real estate as an asset class, looking at the performance of property portfolios and examining the benefits of various investment strategies. The workshop was a part of the bank's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, and was consequently offered to students free of cost. The bank stated that they chose Dar Al-Hekma as the focus of their program because they believe in the college's values toward women and education. In a press conference held recently at the college, Zaheer narrated a story about a widow who lost $250,000 due to a risky investment. She said that she was really affected by this case, and hence by offering such programs they hope to prevent such cases and in some way give back to the community. Mohammad Razzouqi, associate vice president at GSH and an instructor of the workshop, said that they received a very positive response from students. “It took them no time to get into the workshop, and their enthusiasm was very encouraging. They were especially excited to review real-life case studies that were associated with the bank,” he said. Hiba El-Dada, a student, felt that the workshop has significantly enriched her knowledge of real-estate investment. “Before taking the workshop, my knowledge in this field was limited. But I really enjoyed taking this workshop, especially because it dealt with real-estate investment in an international context. Now, I know more about applying my knowledge practically,” she said. The students were given certificates upon successfully completing the workshop. Zaheer and Razzouqi were given mementos for their contribution to the college and the community. The workshop was offered as an extension of a course on real estate that Dar Al-Hekma students pursue as part of their MBA program. Earlier, the bank had collaborated with the college's school of business to offer a related seminar, which was open to public.
