Today, existing socioeconomic disparities, increasing national and international income inequality, and poverty have brought about new debates regarding the place and role of the state in economic life. Explaining these debates solely through mainstream economic theories is insufficient, and alternative theories related to economics are being discussed more loudly. One of these alternative theories is participatory economics and finance, shaped within the framework of the commands and prohibitions of Islam. The principles of participatory economics find application in finance and participatory banking.
Interest in participatory banking, which has demonstrated successful performance, especially during periods of financial crisis, is constantly increasing. In this context, similar undergraduate and graduate programs have been launched worldwide. Turkey, with its historical civilizational heritage, is one of the central countries in the world for participatory banking and finance. In line with the strategic goal of making Istanbul Financial Center not only a center for finance but also for interest-free finance, the need for trained and qualified personnel in this field is increasing.
The Non-Thesis Master's Program in Finance and Participatory Banking, established within Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, aims to provide the theoretical knowledge needed by professionals working in this field. This program, offered in Ankara, the capital city, is the first and only non-thesis program in "Finance and Participation Banking" that focuses directly on practical application. In this sense, the program will also have a dimension aimed at public employees and decision-makers through courses on interest-free financing and borrowing in the public sector. The program is structured in a highly interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary manner with the participation of the Faculty of Political Science, the Faculty of Islamic Studies, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Business Administration, and the Faculty of Law.