Dr Hafiz Muhammad Usman Rana is Academic Lead for Partnerships and Apprenticeships at Birmingham City University Business School, UK, and a specialist in finance. He leads the development of employer-facing programmes, including degree apprenticeships, and builds partnerships that connect academic learning with industry needs. He also oversees elements of the school’s transnational education, ensuring quality delivery and alignment with institutional standards. Beyond academia, he advises institutions and government bodies on financial economics, monetary systems and fiscal policy design.