Dr. Imran Yousaf Ranks 1st in China for Finance/Business Research
We are thrilled to share that Dr. Imran Yousaf, a faculty member at Wenzhou-Kean University, has earned the distinction of being ranked 1st in China for the year 2022, according to P-rank based on ABDC Journal quality list.
Dr. Imran Yousaf is a highly qualified and experienced educator who obtained his Ph.D. in Finance from the Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad. In 2022, he joined Wenzhou-Kean University as a faculty member of the College of Business and Public Management. Dr. Yousaf has an impressive seven years of full-time teaching experience and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the classroom.
Dr. Yousaf has a proven track record of dedicated scientific research, and has delved deeply into various areas of finance, such as FinTech, financial contagion, portfolio risk management, and behavioral finance. Dr. Yousaf has published in leading mainstream journals in the area of finance, such as Energy Economics, International Review of Financial Analysis, Journal of International Financial Markets Institutions & Money, Finance Research Letters, Emerging Markets Review, Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, International Review of Economics & Finance, Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, and Economic Modelling, among others. Furthermore, his case studies in Corporate Finance are available on prestigious publishing platforms such as Ivey and Harvard. His research work has also been featured in the ‘Institutional Investors’ financial magazine. Dr. Yousaf serves as an Editorial Board Member in two prestigious finance journals – Financial Innovation and Annals of Financial Economics.
Dr. Yousaf continues to make significant contributions to the field of finance, as evidenced by his recent publications in top-ranked finance journals during the first quarter of 2023. These publications cover a broad range of topics, including the impact of the Silicon Valley Bank collapse on global financial markets, the FTX collapse and its effects on financial markets, the Central Bank Digital Currencies and its implications for digital payment stocks, the interconnectedness of Defi assets and equity markets, spillovers between healthcare tokens and stocks, and portfolio management of traditional and Islamic cryptocurrencies. Dr. Yousaf’s research showcases his ability to navigate complex financial issues and his unwavering commitment to cutting-edge research. His work offers valuable insights to academics and practitioners alike and highlights his significant contributions to the field of finance.
Waiting for the flowers to bloom
Dr. Yousaf’s significant contributions in finance research, particularly in FinTech and tokens markets, have transformed traditional finance. FinTech refers to the use of modern technology to improve and automate financial services. The emergence of FinTech has led to the creation of a new market for digital tokens, such as security and utility tokens. This market has numerous benefits, including increased liquidity, reduced transaction costs, greater accessibility to investment opportunities, and enhanced security through blockchain technology. Moreover, the token’s market has the potential to democratize finance by enabling individuals and businesses to participate in fundraising and investment activities without the need for traditional intermediaries. Besides FinTech, Dr. Yousaf extensively explored the energy, stock, real estate, and bonds markets. His research has taken him worldwide, collaborating with renowned scholars from diverse countries and refining his methodology, exploring new research topics, and contributing to the field of finance.
As an expert in finance, Dr. Yousaf believes that tokens represent the future of economic development, as they are independent financial products that do not rely on intermediary institutions. Despite challenges, he sees the potential of this new financial landscape, and his early optimism in studying it is now bearing fruit. As the digital economy and the tokens continue to rise in popularity, Dr. Yousaf believes that tokens will soon be promoted worldwide and represent a new beginning in the new era. He advises finding the right direction and waiting patiently for the flowers to bloom.
“Education is a Dialogue: The Importance of Two-Way Communication in Learning.”
Dr. Yousaf admitted that his education journey was not an overnight one but a long one. The story started when he was a college student. He initially struggled with shyness and found it challenging to ask questions in class. However, he was fortunate enough to have a math teacher who provided him with two valuable pieces of advice that would shape his academic career: learn to ask questions and share knowledge with others. Following his teacher’s advice, Dr. Yousaf began to participate actively in group study sessions during his university studies.
In the first semester of his university studies, his teachers made it mandatory for all students to participate in daily group study sessions. He joined a group of nine students and in their first meeting, they had to choose a group leader who would teach the others. When one of their group members asked who would take on the role, he raised his hand, following the advice of his college teacher, and took on the responsibility of teaching his group members for at least two hours each day.
Initially, his communication and teaching skills were lacking, but with the support of his group members, he improved his teaching skills by teaching both quantitative and qualitative content in different subjects. By the third semester of his bachelor’s degree, his classmates and juniors began approaching him to learn about different topics. He was open to everyone who wanted to learn, and he gained a lot of knowledge from the variety of questions posed by his group members, classmates, and juniors. This practice continued during his master’s degree as well, allowing him to improve his skills as a teacher and become a knowledgeable resource for his peers.
Dr. Yousaf has been teaching full-time for seven years, and he believes that his teaching experience at WKU has been particularly unique compared to his previous teaching experiences. Upon his arrival, he noticed that many students were hesitant to participate and lacked confidence in sharing their answers. To address this, he implemented a patient and encouraging teaching style, making his classes enjoyable and engaging for all students. As a result, more and more WKUers began to actively participate and engage in collaborative learning.
Dr. Yousaf strongly believes that education is not a one-way communication process. He emphasized the importance of both teachers and students asking and answering questions to promote a healthy and dynamic learning environment. According to him, if a lecture doesn’t inspire students to ask questions and encourage healthy discussions, it is not an effective class. He always encourages his students to participate in class discussions. Overall, his approach to teaching promotes an open and collaborative learning environment that encourages students to think critically and engage in active learning.
In addition to teaching concepts from books, he utilize the “case study pedagogy” to develop students’ ability to make decisions in a broad range of real-world situations. The case method encourages active learning and student participation, as well as developing the remarkable ability to analyze and apply theoretical frameworks, to debate and develop arguments, and to make quick decisions in challenging, uncertain situations.
“My experience in China was unforgettable.”
Dr. Yousaf has expressed a strong interest in joining Wenzhou-Kean University (WKU) in China, citing several reasons for his enthusiasm. Firstly, he was drawn to the China’s excellent relations with Pakistan, and the status of a Chinese-American institution. Additionally, he was impressed by the positive teaching and research environment at WKU, which he believes would enable him to pursue his academic interests with passion and vigor. During his one-year stay in China, Dr. Yousaf had the opportunity to experience firsthand the friendly relationship between Pakistani and Chinese people. He was deeply touched by the warm hospitality and support he received from the local community, which made his stay in China all the more enjoyable and fulfilling.
Comparing his experiences in both countries, Dr. Yousaf praised the top-notch educational facilities and campus environment at WKU, which he believes are among the best he has seen. He was particularly impressed by the dedication and hard work of the students, who he observed constantly filling up the halls of the College of Business with their diligent study habits. “Self-discipline and hard work are the shining points of WKU students,” he remarked.
Looking ahead, Dr. Yousaf is excited to continue his research in the areas that interest him and to contribute to the education and development of WKU’s outstanding students. He believes that he has found a welcoming and stimulating academic community at WKU, and looks forward to many fruitful years of collaboration and growth.
Writer: Zili Lin, Yanran Wang
Proofreader: Imran Yousaf, Wenwei Xiang
