The Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies (EIBFS), a provider in banking and finance education and training, has announced its 2021 Annual Training Plan (ATP) that prioritises progression pathways and courses required for future jobs in the banking and finance industry.
Finalised by Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, Chairman of EIBFS, along with the Board of Directors, the framework has been developed to support the UAE leadership’s vision to transform the current educational system and teaching methods through a focus on new ways of learning to reskill existing bank employees. In addition, the new plan aims to support Emiratis in the sector to enhance their career prospects and also to better position financial institutions for growth.
The 2021 Annual Training Program (ATP) features a library of 360 courses and 1,168 programs scheduled including certified blended learning pathways, micro-learning modules, artificial intelligence courses and self-learning materials. The figures represent a 91% Year-on-Year increase in the courses added. Created through meticulously charting out competency-specific learning pathways, the 2021 course portfolio covers key banking related areas. Finance professionals can look forward to financial analysis, risk management and credit documentation programs, among others. Leveraging this skills-based approach, EIBFS is transforming the continuous learning model by enabling banking professionals to top-up modules based on their areas of expertise and interests.
Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the banking and financial services industry, compelling all of us to rethink the ways in which we operate. To this end, at EIBFS, we directed our energies towards creating new ways of learning to empower financial professionals to function effectively in a post-Covid-19 world. Our renewed thinking has guided our 2021 framework and we hope the digital-first approach will complement the UAE’s efforts in realising its vision to develop a pool of Emirati talent to take on leadership positions in the banking sector.”
In 2020, EIBFS launched ‘Insight’— the first-ever specialised online learning platform in the MENA region that facilitates best-in-class financial education. The platform currently boasts 10,000 users, offers over 100 functional skills and soft skills development courses in categories including fintech, data analytics, corporate banking and management, trade finance, compliance and anti-money laundering, risk management, Islamic banking and business communication. Furthermore, to enhance its leadership development program, EIBFS also partnered with Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.
Jamal Al Jassmi, General Manager of EIBFS, said: “Despite the disruption the education sector has faced in 2020, we were quick to adapt to a digital model and were able to train over 30,000 professionals. Going into 2021, we seek to build on this momentum by introducing a new competency-based learning experience. Given the growing focus on digital transformation in financial services, we hope through our courses to enhance digital skills through artificial intelligence and gamification, among other tools.”
