The Emirates Institute of Finance (EIF) recently held an orientation session for 33 financial leaders, who are set to participate in the Oxford Leadership Development Programme (LDP) at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, in the United Kingdom.
The participants of the LDP hail from a variety of esteemed institutions including the Central Bank of the UAE, The Emirates Institute of Finance, Commercial Bank of Dubai, HSBC Bank Middle East, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Ajman Bank, Fujairah Government Excellence Programme, Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation, Fujairah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Department of Public Works & Agriculture, Fujairah Adventure Centre, Fujairah Municipality, Banque Misr UAE, Bahrain Bourse, GFH Financial Group B.S.C., National Bank of Kuwait, and Al Fardan Exchange.
This advanced training programme, in collaboration with Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, is designed to enhance the leadership capabilities within the financial sector. It prepares participants to spearhead programmes, projects, and initiatives that align with the rapid and future transformations in financial services and products, finance specialisations, and financial technology applications.
Noura Alblooshi, General Manager of EIF, emphasised to the new cohort of the Leadership Development Programme the pivotal role of the UAE’s financial sector as a catalyst for a diverse and flexible economy. She highlighted that the economy is grounded in innovation and perpetual development, keeping in stride with exemplary practices, knowledge acquisition, and the embracement of cutting-edge technologies. Alblooshi underscored the importance of nurturing capable Emirati leaders to ensure the UAE maintains its leading position in the realm of advanced financial institutions and banks in the region.
“LDPs tailored for Emirati talent in the banking and financial sector reinforce the nation’s regional prominence and expedite the Emiratisation process. We take pride in continuing these quality programmes in coordination with various local entities across the public and private sectors, in partnership with academic institutions and international training centres,” Alblooshi stated.
She further noted, “In line with the mission of the Emirates Institute of Finance, which has trained over 200,000 individuals through more than 8,000 training programmes since its inception, we are committed to playing a proactive role in the Emiratisation of the financial sector. Our focus is on disseminating specialised knowledge within this field and providing pioneering and exceptional training and development programmes that bolster the regional and international competitiveness of Emirati professionals.”
The programme also seeks to cultivate the unique abilities of Emirati professionals, equipping them to navigate the evolving landscape of the banking and financial sector, especially with the advent of artificial intelligence, digital and encrypted currencies, open ledger systems, and instantaneous transfers using blockchain technologies. Furthermore, the programme’s goals include honing leadership aptitudes at both personal and professional levels, fostering team-building skills and a collaborative ethos, as well as augmenting the capacity to make informed decisions based on data and available information.
About EIF:
The Emirates Institute of Finance (EIF) was founded in 1983. As a leading training center in the MENA and GCC regions, it offers world-class training and allied services in the critical areas of banking and finance. Based in the UAE, EIF currently has three campuses for education and training services located in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The Institute has made substantial contributions to the careers of thousands of students and working professionals in the financial services sector. EIF is also a strong supporter of Emiratization and has launched various initiatives that have greatly helped to promote the careers of Emiratis. All academic programs offered by EIF are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Students who have successfully completed these programs have found productive employment at various levels in banks and financial institutions in the UAE and around the world.
