Young investor programme in UAE to teach key financial skills to 75,000 school students
Synopsis In the United Arab Emirates, a new initiative aims to educate young students about finance. The 'Young Investor Programme', by National Bonds and Knowledge Fund Establishment, targets 75,000 students in 50 schools. It intends to teach saving, budgeting, and investing through classroom learning and real-life training. The programme has already started in Dubai schools and is expanding to other cities like Sharjah. In a bid to incorporate essential financial skills such as diligent saving, budgeting and strategic investing into young students from an early age, companies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have launched a new initiative. With an aim to reach 50 schools and impact 75,000 students across the Emirates, The 'Young Investor Programme' was launched by National Bonds, a Shari'a-compliant savings and investment company, in collaboration with the Knowledge Fund Establishment.
ADVERTISEMENT The programme blends classroom-based learning with immersive, real-life training, offering students a unique and interactive pathway to understanding personal finance. It initially targeted students in Grades 5 and 6.
The curriculum under this initiative introduces fundamental financial concepts in a simplified manner to create an impact, according to The Khaleej Times. Meanwhile older students in Grades 11 and 12 also benefitted from hands-on workshops hosted at National Bonds' headquarters.
These sessions dive deep into topics of critical importance, including budgeting, investment planning, market research, data analysis, and essential communication skills, providing participants with a crucial behind-the-scenes perspective on the workings of financial services and bridging theoretical knowledge with practical career exposure.The curriculum has six core modules: Money Management, Payment Systems, Loans and Debts, Savings and Investments, Insurance Protection Plans (with a specific focus on Takaful), and Long-Term Financial Planning.The programme also integrates real-life application through engaging role-play exercises, interactive case studies, and practical workshop activities, Khaleej Times reported. Moreover, there are new modules being introduced on a regular basis tapping into areas including artificial intelligence, digital currencies, and modern money management practices.
ADVERTISEMENT The 'Young Investor Programme' has already been implemented in 11 private schools across Dubai as a part of the pilot phase, which turned out to be successful. The participating institutions include Dubai Schools – Al Barsha; Dubai Schools – Al Khawaneej; Dubai Schools – Nad Al Sheba; International School of Creative Science – Nad Al Sheba; American School of Creative Science – Nad Al Sheba; American School of Creative Science – Maliha; American School of Creative Science – Al Layyah; Buds Public School; Nibras International School Dubai; Springdales School Dubai; and St Mary's Catholic High School.
ADVERTISEMENT As of now, the programme is catering to 3,500 students in Dubai. The initiative is now taking giant strides and expanding beyond Dubai, entering cities like Sharjah.
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
(Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)
Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates.
NEXT STORY
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Time of India
New EU rule may stir up trouble for Araku coffee exports
Araku Valley (Andhra Pradesh): A delay in geomapping farms of tribal growers cultivating Andhra Pradesh's celebrated Araku coffee could disrupt exports to Europe. That's because of a new law — European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) — that comes into force by the end of the year, which mandates traceability to the last mile. Only micro and small importers of Europe have an extended deadline — until June 30, 2026 — to comply. As coffee is a non-perishable item, European buyers, who at times procure beans in bulk for the entire year, have already begun insisting on EUDR-compliant shipments, ET has learnt. 'The clock is ticking,' warns an Indian exporter who sources beans from the hilly region — encompassing Paderu, Chintapalli, Minimuluru et al — collectively known as Araku Valley coffee, famed for its naturally grown, premium Arabica variety. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category MBA healthcare Public Policy others CXO Leadership Artificial Intelligence Degree Management Finance Digital Marketing Cybersecurity Product Management Project Management Data Science Healthcare Technology MCA Others Data Science Operations Management Design Thinking Data Analytics PGDM Skills you'll gain: Analytical Skills Financial Literacy Leadership and Management Skills Strategic Thinking Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT Online MBA Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Financial Management Team Leadership & Collaboration Financial Reporting & Analysis Advocacy Strategies for Leadership Duration: 18 Months UMass Global Master of Business Administration (MBA) Starts on May 13, 2024 Get Details 'Many Araku growers don't even own a smartphone to initiate geotagging, and awareness of the stringent European regulation is alarmingly low,' he says, requesting anonymity, also adding that the penalties for EU importers are severe — not just limited to confiscation of noncompliant shipments, but extending to fines of up to 4% of the company's total annual turnover within the EU from the previous financial year. Europe is India's largest coffee market, with Italy, Germany and Belgium emerging as the top three importers in FY25. According to the Coffee Board of India, nearly 150,000 farmers cultivate the Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged Araku coffee, with each typically holding just one to two acres of land. 'Mapping coffee plantations through the India Coffee app is part of a nationwide exercise across all coffee-growing regions,' says HR Muralidhara, deputy director of the Coffee Board, based in Paderu, the biggest town in the coffee-growing region of Andhra Pradesh. 'Geolocation of farmers is essential for compliance with the EUDR norms, and we have only recently initiated the process among tribal growers in Araku.' However, he declined to comment on allegations that the board is facing a shortage of field staff in the remote hilly region to raise awareness and complete the geotagging exercise before the deadline. Unlike in Araku — where a single GPS coordinate per plot suffices for EUDR compliance due to the small landholdings, all invariably under four acres — larger estates in Karnataka's Kodagu (Coorg) and Chikkamagaluru require detailed polygon mapping. 'We have already completed polygon mapping for our member estates in Coorg and have shipped two consignments of coffee that meet EUDR standards,' says Vishwanath KK, CEO, Kodagu-based Biota Coorg Farmer Producer Company. He emphasises the urgency of scaling up geotagging efforts nationwide: 'Geolocation data must be collected in mission mode across India to ensure our coffee remains eligible for export under EU regulations from day one.' Although the EUDR imposes penalties solely on European importers, Vishwanath notes, 'No importer will risk buying from an Indian exporter if the shipment — whether coffee or the six other regulated commodities like cocoa, rubber — fails to comply with the rules.' For now, European buyers are accepting consignments if convinced the stock will be exhausted before the regulation comes into effect, he adds. 'But the pressure to demonstrate compliance — that the product is not linked to deforestation— will only grow stronger in the coming months.' In Chumpi, a village nestled in the Araku Valley, coffee farmer Khogesh Rao says local buyers often come directly to their homes to purchase freshly harvested coffee fruits, which are then processed and passed on to larger buyers based in cities. 'Some of us have small pulping machines. If the coffee is washed, it fetches a better price,' he explains, also adding that no one in his village has undertaken any geolocation exercise. 'We're working to reduce the role of middlemen by encouraging Araku farmers to engage directly with companies and even invest in small-scale curing units of their own,' says Kalpana Kumari, managing director of Girijan Cooperative Corporation, a state-run body that procures coffee and minor forest produce from tribal farmers. 'Tata Coffee, Continental Coffee, Third Wave — so many multinational enterprises are sourcing and exporting Araku coffee now,' she adds.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business Standard
Donald Trump's 25% tariff hit triggers layoff warning from exporters
No Russia penalty yet; key meetings between Goyal and exporters on Saturday, Sunday Shine Jacob Shreya Nandi Chennai/New Delhi Listen to This Article US President Donald Trump on Friday formally imposed a sweeping 25 per cent import tariff on Indian goods, sparking fears of mass layoffs among exporters, especially in the textiles sector. Though the anticipated 'penalty' tied to India's purchases from Russia was absent, the tariff hike placed Indian exporters at a disadvantage compared with regional peers such as Bangladesh, which secured a lower 20 per cent rate from Washington. According to a White House executive order, the new tariffs are set to come into effect from August 7 and will be imposed over and above the existing World Trade Organization-compliant tariffs,
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Second homes, an investment trend
While a large section of India's population is still struggling to have a roof over their heads, and crores of citizens are buying their first homes in their 30s — entering into loans lasting years and paying EMIs until retirement — in contrast, another segment of wealthy individuals is buying second or holiday homes. These are in picturesque locations across the country: some to upgrade their lifestyle, some for peace of mind, and others to work in tranquility. According to analysts, this trend is accelerating in the post-pandemic era. Topping the list of second home destinations is Goa, followed by the Himalayas, the Sahyadri Hills, and Coorg in the South, with specific hotspots including Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Shimla, Kasauli, Mashobra, Alibaug, Lonavala, and the Nilgiris. Better road connectivity from the nearest main cities to these destinations seems to be one of the main reasons behind people investing in second homes to spend the weekend or the holidays. In the case of Goa, it is excellent air connectivity that is drawing people from all over. New workstations There are people who have turned their second homes into primary residences or workplaces due to the convenience and peace of mind such locations provide. 'The second home buyer in Goa has evolved, and they are not traditional high-net-worth individuals (HNIs),' says Fabiola Mendes E. Rodrigues, Director & HR Partner, Bennet & Bernard, a real estate company that has specialised in this segment. 'We are seeing a distinct segment emerge: urban professionals in their 30s to 50s, founders, tech entrepreneurs, design-led business owners, and NRIs returning with a global mindset,' she adds. Many are first-time second home buyers. 'Pricing ranges between ₹2 crore and ₹7 crore. They are not buying out of impulse or status — they are buying for intention. They are shifting from high-stress metros and choosing a home that supports wellness, stillness, and emotional clarity,' she continues. This new-age buyer is not asking about chandeliers or clubhouses but prefers natural light, question if the noise is buffered, and if there is a verandah to sit in silence. 'They want Vaastu-compliant layouts not just for tradition but to feel balanced. For them, Goa is a place to slow down and reconnect with nature, family, and themselves. Our homes are designed around that rhythm — drawing from Goa's Indo-Portuguese restraint, with courtyards that breathe and architecture that does not overwhelm,' Rodrigues says. Instead of buying square footage, they are buying 'space that listens'. 'And in today's market, that is the quietest and truest definition of luxury,' she emphasises. Meaningful getaways According to developers, the second-home market segment is witnessing a clear upward trend, especially among affluent urban professionals seeking meaningful getaways that go beyond just occasional vacations. 'We have seen strong interest from doctors, lawyers, consultants, business owners and senior corporate executives: people who already own one or more primary residences in the city and are now looking to invest in a leisure home that offers both emotional and lifestyle value,' says Vijay Dwivedi, Senior VP & Head, Leisure Homes, Ambuja Neotia, which is into second home projects in eastern India. These buyers are typically pressed for time and prefer destinations that are easily accessible — ideally within a one or two-hour drive from a city or close to an airport or railway station. But more than location, what they are truly seeking is a sense of well-being. 'Privacy, security, and modern comforts are a given, but what makes a difference is access to curated experiences such as wellness amenities, nature trails, social spaces, and engaging activities for all age groups,' Dwivedi says. Second homes that are integrated with hospitality offerings seem to be preferred by investors. By anchoring these destinations around boutique hospitality, developers are able to offer residents access to multiple F&B options, entertainment, and wellness services — all within the ecosystem. 'This creates a vibrant and enriching environment that feels like a retreat yet functions like a thoughtfully curated community. We have seen this demand thrive in locations like the riverfront near Kolkata and the hills and forests of north Bengal,' he continues. For a segment of people, the second home is no longer just a luxury; it is a smart, future-ready investment. Financial returns 'With strong capital appreciation, growing rental yields, and the priceless return of wellness and work-life balance, second homes offer both emotional fulfilment and financial sense,' explains Parag Munot, Managing Director, Kalpataru Ltd., which has second home projects in Karjat, Nagpur, and Lonavala in Maharashtra. According to him, from millennials to NRIs, India's second home market is where aspiration meets opportunity. Echoing the same sentiment, Ashwin Chadha, CEO, India Sotheby's International Realty, says that for many buyers, these homes are not just property investments but investments in well-being, work-life balance, and long-term lifestyle freedom. Second homes are also promising when it comes to rental yield and capital appreciation. Goa, Alibaug, and Kasauli have witnessed capital appreciation of 9% to 12% annually, with some areas in north Goa recording even up to 20% returns, he adds. Additionally, short-term rentals are generating annual yields of 4% to 6%, often outperforming metro-based luxury apartments. Remote work trends and digital nomads have further pushed year-round demand in these destinations, he says. However, a second home also comes with its own challenges. Ownership can make sense if one uses it regularly or if it generates good financial returns. 'Liquidity, maintenance, and regulatory considerations, especially for NRIs, must be carefully evaluated. Legal clarity, succession planning, and local community dynamics also play a role in long-term satisfaction,' Chadha says. 'HNIs are advised to treat second homes as a strategic addition to their overall real estate portfolio, ideally limiting them to 25% of their total real estate investment. With the right mix of location, legal due diligence, and long-term planning, second homes can offer not just a lifestyle upgrade but also a meaningful financial return,' he says. Thus, second homes are no longer just retreats but serious lifestyle assets serving both personal and investment goals, if chosen wisely.
