Latest news with #EmadAl-Ablani
Kuwait Times
02-06-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
NBK signs agreement with AIU to enhance career development
KUWAIT: The National Bank of Kuwait signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the American International University to provide collaborative and innovative training programs and professional development workshops. Signing the memorandum were Emad Al-Ablani – Group Chief Human Resources Officer from NBK and Nael Alawadhi – Member of Board of Trustees from AIU with the attendance of officials from both institutions. According to the agreement, AIU will invite NBK representatives to participate in training programs and workshops organized by the university, which stands as a remarkable chance for exchanging knowledge and experiences. Moreover, specialized training programs will be organized for NBK employees in collaboration with the Human Resources Department, further enhancing the partnership in the field of professional development and elevating professional competencies. From its end, AIU will share its activities with the bank to explore sponsorship opportunities, and it will facilitate and prioritize NBK's access to campus to attend the different workshops and activities. AIU will also provide special care for students working part time at NBK by adjusting their schedules in line with their professional obligations, which reflects the two institutions' commitment to supporting continued education and professional development. This initiative comes as part of NBK's continued efforts to promote social responsibility and support education, as it firmly believes that investing in education is key to achieving a sustainable future, and it mirrors its dedication to collaborate with academic institutions to develop national professionals in line with Kuwait Vision 2035 and build a private sector-led economy that is diversified, sustainable, and underpinned by education, innovation, and technology. On this occasion, Al-Ablani commented: 'We strive to provide cutting-edge educational and training tools as per the latest international standards for competency development and enable our employees to access a diversified educational content that imparts knowledge and necessary experiences to boost innovation and enhance sustainability.' Al-Ablani added: 'We are proud of our long-standing relationships with all of Kuwait's educational and academic institutions that enable us to exchange training experiences and ultimately enhance professional competencies, as we are keen on aligning our own economic sustainability objectives with Kuwait's, and this relies heavily on providing training opportunities as per the highest international standards.' Al-Ablani also emphasized NBK's strong belief in education and its essential role in shaping the future of society, further indicating that the collaboration with AIU confirms NBK's commitment to preparing a generation of competent leaders and innovators in different fields by motivating students and establishing a nurturing environment that promotes innovation and creativity. Due to its essential role in affirming its leadership and excellence, NBK is remarkably keen on investing in its human capital by providing the best specialized programs as per international standards, presented by top banking experts who impart their knowledge, and transform professionals into future leaders.
Kuwait Times
02-06-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
KFAS concludes ‘TechEdge' program in collaboration with NBK and Zain
Aiming to enhance national youth skills in AI, data science, cybersecurity KUWAIT: The Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) has concluded the 'TechEdge' program conducted in collaboration with the National University of Singapore, the National Bank of Kuwait, and Zain, which aims to enhance the skills of national youth who are kickstarting their careers in the fields of advanced technology such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Cybersecurity. The program, held in Singapore for two weeks, has successfully achieved its objectives, which focused on raising awareness about the importance of Cybersecurity and data protection in the backdrop of rising digital challenges. The participants were able to better understand the technology and tools used in these fields, enabling them to face cyber threats and protect the digital infrastructure. Moreover, this program is part of the fruitful collaboration between KFAS, NBK, and Zain aimed at supporting Kuwait Vision 2035 that strives to diversify the economy and enhance reliance on modern technology and digitalization. The program joined a distinctive group of ambitious Kuwaiti youth who showed great commitment and enthusiasm throughout. KFAS affirmed it will continue to develop society and establish an atmosphere of creativity and innovation by tapping into various initiatives and programs that aim to prepare competent and competitive youth in the technologically advanced job market, especially with the national youth's remarkable digital capabilities that need support to enable them become pioneers in advanced technology and ultimately accelerate digital transformation and sustainable development in Kuwait. On this occasion, Emad Al-Ablani, Group Chief Human Resources Officer said: 'At NBK, we strongly believe in the importance of promoting creativity and innovation by launching various programs and initiatives that aim to develop qualified national professionals and cooperating with government institutions and strategic partners to make a positive impact in society and create a motivating environment for the youth, which further put NBK at the forefront of institutions in social responsibility initiatives. Al-Ablani added: 'The collaboration with KFAS and Zain reflects our commitment to supporting knowledge and innovation. The 'TechEdge' program, for instance, stands as a great opportunity for trainees who are just kickstarting their careers to develop their skills, as it gives these young trainees the chance to receive high quality training and education in collaboration with the National University in Singapore, which is known as one of the pioneering institutions in the field of technology.' Nawal Bourisli, Chief Purpose & HR Officer at Zain Kuwait said: 'At Zain, we believe in the power of young minds to shape the future of our digital economy. Supporting the TechEdge program is part of our broader Innovation Nation initiative, through which we invest in national talents and provide them with cutting-edge knowledge in vital fields like artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity. These are the pillars of tomorrow's job market, and we are committed to ensuring that Kuwaiti youth are ready to lead in this space.' Bourislicontinued: 'We are proud of the participants for their dedication and passion, and we're pleased that this global experience—delivered in collaboration with KFAS, NBK, and the National University of Singapore—was a fruitful one. It reflects our long-term vision of driving digital transformation by developing talent, sharing private sector expertise, and cultivating a culture of innovation.' Zain's support to TechEdge comes under the pillar of its 'Innovation Nation' initiative, through which the company collaborates with leading institutions to advance its strategic vision for enabling digital transformation upskilling and talent development.
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
NBK wraps up the closing activities of the second 'NBK RISE' cohort
This initiative goes hand in hand with NBK's strategy towards enhancing women leadership across all levels. The bank provides specialized programs tailored to support, develop, and enable women in leadership. 'NBK RISE' aims to make a sustainable impact in all sectors by establishing a diverse community of women leaders. NBK's is committed to providing equal opportunities as well as promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 'NBK RISE' has earned prestigious recognition and received several awards. NBK is proud to be a pioneer in implementing equality in the workplace across its global locations. In a special visit to its final training session at the IE Business School in Spain, National Bank of Kuwait successfully wrapped up the closing activities of the nine-month-long Global Women Leadership Initiative 'NBK RISE' in its second cohort. 'NBK RISE' is a first-of-its-kind initiative specifically designed to empower women and increase their representation in higher leadership roles, which reflects the bank's commitment to achieving diversity, equity, and inclusion as per the highest international standards, and ultimately elevate women leadership institutionally, locally, regionally and globally. The second cohort is comprised of 25 female participants from diverse professional backgrounds, including local and international NBK employees, as well as representatives from NBK Wealth and representatives from prestigious regional companies such as Kuwait Petroleum Company, Ooredoo, Kuwait Banking Association, Abyat, Gulf Bank, Kuwait Financial Centre-Markaz, J's Bakery, and Intervest Capital Partner-New York. The program is divided into several training modules that aim to develop leadership and strategic skills, communication, and interaction, in addition to a focus on preparing participants to obtain exceptional leading roles in the future. The fourth and final module, focused on behavioral and impact skills, was held in collaboration with IE Business School in Madrid. Various essential topics were explored, such as Leading Conflict, Conflict Resolution, Leading Strategically, Megatrends and Future of Work, Effective Decision Maing, Delegation & Empowerment, and overall Wellbeing. Moreover, the participants had the ability to work with their executive coach from IE Business School, Madrid, to further develop their Capstone Projects in preparation for the presentations to Executive Management, reflecting the skills and knowledge gained throughout the program. In this cohort, not only did participants receive training for leadership skills, but they were also exposed to first-hand communication with global and diverse experiences, which contributed to enhancing overseas strategic collaboration and ultimately establishing a big network of women leaders across different sectors and locations. Joined by Mr. Emad Al-Ablani, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, the visit included a dinner banquet to honor His Excellency Mr. Ziyad Al-Anbai, the Ambassador of Kuwait to Spain along with several distinguished women leaders, with the attendance of Constantino De Zabala, the Director of Operations at IE Business School for the Middle East as well as the university leaders and Kuwaiti students. On the sidelines of the program's closing activities, exclusive discussions were conducted covering Human Resources topics, by Mr. Emad Al-Ablani and moderated by Professor Kriti Jain from IE, where they explored visions and global insights on the latest leadership and human resources strategies. These activities posed a remarkable opportunity for the participants to be directly in touch with distinct diplomatic and academic figures, further widening their overseas professional network. It should be noted that NBK is always keen on providing equal opportunities and promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace through various strategic initiatives and specialized programs that aim to develop women leadership, further contributing to increasing the representation of women in leadership roles. In fact, increasing women's participation and providing them with decision-making opportunities are integral parts of international institutional strategies, especially as women are more involved in social contexts, which contributes to establishing an environment that promotes sustainable development and a positive social impact in the long run. Therefore, the 'NBK RISE' program aims to make a sustainable impact across different sectors where alumni guide ambitious future candidates, creating a sustainable cycle that enables the program to carry on and continue to make a positive impact. Moreover, it reflects NBK's commitment to enhancing gender diversity and women empowerment. It is also noteworthy that the program, which aims to enhance gender diversity and women empowerment, has earned prestigious recognition and received several awards, including MERIT's Special Recognition for 'Developing Women Leaders' and the Bronze Award for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion from the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) as part of the 2023 MENA Awards. NBK prides itself in following equality principles throughout its international locations, where women already occupy 43.2% of its workforce and females occupy 29.7% of national higher management roles and above. Moreover, NBK is proud that it does not implement a gender wage gap. NBK RISE is a testament to NBK Group's continuous efforts to be a global leader in corporate community advancement. In collaboration with the most prominent universities and training providers around the world, NBK is keen on providing specialized programs and workshops that aim to develop women leadership, raise awareness about gender inequality, and utilize them to increase productivity and innovation. Moreover, NBK is committed to expanding the range of diversity and inclusion to include customers, as it launched several services and products especially for female customers and entrepreneurs. NBK is committed to instilling the principle of women empowerment in the Group's professional culture by providing mentorship, continuous career development opportunities, and adopting innovative strategic insights in the field of human resources, in line with the bank's future aspirations and goals.
Kuwait Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
NBK wraps up closing activities of the second ‘NBK RISE' cohort
KUWAIT: In a special visit to its final training session at the IE Business School in Spain, National Bank of Kuwait successfully wrapped up the closing activities of the nine-month-long Global Women Leadership Initiative 'NBK RISE' in its second cohort. 'NBK RISE' is a first-of-its-kind initiative specifically designed to empower women and increase their representation in higher leadership roles, which reflects the bank's commitment to achieving diversity, equity, and inclusion as per the highest international standards, and ultimately elevate women leadership institutionally, locally, regionally and globally. The second cohort is comprised of 25 female participants from diverse professional backgrounds, including local and international NBK employees, as well as representatives from NBK Wealth and representatives from prestigious regional companies such as Kuwait Petroleum Company, Ooredoo, Kuwait Banking Association, Abyat, Gulf Bank, Kuwait Financial Centre-Markaz, J's Bakery, and Intervest Capital Partner-New York. The program is divided into several training modules that aim to develop leadership and strategic skills, communication, and interaction, in addition to a focus on preparing participants to obtain exceptional leading roles in the future. The fourth and final module, focused on behavioral and impact skills, was held in collaboration with IE Business School in Madrid. Various essential topics were explored, such as Leading Conflict, Conflict Resolution, Leading Strategically, Megatrends and Future of Work, Effective Decision Maing, Delegation & Empowerment, and overall Wellbeing. Emad Al-Ablani is pictured during a discussion session at IE University. Trainees of the NBK RISE program (From left) Emad Ablani, Lee Newman, Dean of IE University Madrid and Anmar Darmi take a group photo. Moreover, the participants had the ability to work with their executive coach from IE Business School, Madrid, to further develop their Capstone Projects in preparation for the presentations to Executive Management, reflecting the skills and knowledge gained throughout the program. In this cohort, not only did participants receive training for leadership skills, but they were also exposed to first-hand communication with global and diverse experiences, which contributed to enhancing overseas strategic collaboration and ultimately establishing a big network of women leaders across different sectors and locations. Joined by Emad Al-Ablani, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, the visit included a dinner banquet to honor Ziyad Al-Anbai, the Ambassador of Kuwait to Spain along with several distinguished women leaders, with the attendance of Constantino De Zabala, the Director of Operations at IE Business School for the Middle East as well as the university leaders and Kuwaiti students. On the sidelines of the program's closing activities, exclusive discussions were conducted covering Human Resources topics, by Emad Al-Ablani and moderated by Professor Kriti Jain from IE, where they explored visions and global insights on the latest leadership and human resources strategies. These activities posed a remarkable opportunity for the participants to be directly in touch with distinct diplomatic and academic figures, further widening their overseas professional network. It should be noted that NBK is always keen on providing equal opportunities and promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace through various strategic initiatives and specialized programs that aim to develop women leadership, further contributing to increasing the representation of women in leadership roles. In fact, increasing women's participation and providing them with decision-making opportunities are integral parts of international institutional strategies, especially as women are more involved in social contexts, which contributes to establishing an environment that promotes sustainable development and a positive social impact in the long run. Therefore, the 'NBK RISE' program aims to make a sustainable impact across different sectors where alumni guide ambitious future candidates, creating a sustainable cycle that enables the program to carry on and continue to make a positive impact. Moreover, it reflects NBK's commitment to enhancing gender diversity and women empowerment. It is also noteworthy that the program, which aims to enhance gender diversity and women empowerment, has earned prestigious recognition and received several awards, including MERIT's Special Recognition for 'Developing Women Leaders' and the Bronze Award for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion from the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) as part of the 2023 MENA Awards. NBK prides itself in following equality principles throughout its international locations, where women already occupy 43.2 percent of its workforce and females occupy 29.7 percent of national higher management roles and above. Moreover, NBK is proud that it does not implement a gender wage gap. NBK RISE is a testament to NBK Group's continuous efforts to be a global leader in corporate community advancement. In collaboration with the most prominent universities and training providers around the world, NBK is keen on providing specialized programs and workshops that aim to develop women leadership, raise awareness about gender inequality, and utilize them to increase productivity and innovation. Moreover, NBK is committed to expanding the range of diversity and inclusion to include customers, as it launched several services and products especially for female customers and entrepreneurs. NBK is committed to instilling the principle of women empowerment in the Group's professional culture by providing mentorship, continuous career development opportunities, and adopting innovative strategic insights in the field of human resources, in line with the bank's future aspirations and goals.
Zawya
04-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
National Bank of Kuwait hosts group HR conference for international branches
Al-Ablani: The conference aimed to strengthen strategic alignment and global cooperation across all Group HR departments. The event reflects the Bank's commitment to fostering a unified corporate culture across all markets. A shared dedication to building a future-ready workforce that aligns with NBK's global vision and the evolving needs of our business and clients. Emphasis on HR operational harmony to support the Group's strategic objectives and future growth. As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen integration and alignment across international markets, the Group Human Resources Division at the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) hosted a major HR conference at its Head Office in Kuwait. The three-day event brought together HR leaders from NBK's international branches and subsidiaries across 13 countries and 4 continents. Held from April 28 to 30, the conference served as a platform for sharing best practices, aligning future strategies, and reinforcing cooperation among HR teams within the NBK Group. The conference opened with welcoming remarks from NBK's executive leadership, followed by a comprehensive presentation of the Group's overall HR strategy. Each international HR head also delivered presentations outlining their respective local strategies and initiatives. A key component of the event was a specialized workshop titled 'Change Management', part of NBK's Career Leap project. The program also included advanced training on job design and evaluation, emphasizing alignment with global HR best practices in attracting, retaining, and developing top talent—solidifying NBK's position as an employer of choice in the banking sector. As part of the Career Leap initiative, attendees participated in a full-day training session delivered by a leading global firm on 'Strategic Change Leadership Workshop'. The session explored dynamic change leadership practices, highlighting strategies for managing transformation in fast-evolving economic environments. It also provided tools and frameworks for adapting to organizational change, fostering agility, and navigating uncertainty through global case studies. The conference further addressed ways to enhance the effectiveness of HR services and operations across the Group. Discussions included developing core competencies, grooming future leaders, promoting a unified organizational culture, and leveraging innovative ideas from diverse markets to drive performance. Cross-border collaboration was underscored as a critical strategy for addressing common challenges. In a heartfelt moment, the conference honored the Head of HR at NBK Singapore on her retirement, marking 41 years of dedicated service. The recognition demonstrated the Bank's deep appreciation for employee commitment and exemplified the values of professionalism and respect that define NBK's corporate culture. On this occasion, Mr. Emad Al-Ablani, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, stated: "We are proud to host this important conference aimed at strengthening strategic alignment and global collaboration among HR teams across all NBK international branches and subsidiaries. This event reaffirms our commitment to supporting the Group's operational goals and long-term growth." He added:"The conference reflects the strength of our Group HR function and our collective dedication to building a high-performing, future-ready workforce that aligns with NBK's global vision to meet the evolving demands of our business and clients." Al-Ablani emphasized that the event reasserts NBK's leadership in attracting, developing, and retaining top talent while reinforcing a unified corporate culture across all operational markets. He concluded by affirming that NBK's HR Division will continue to play a vital role in enabling the Group's strategic ambitions by focusing on human capital development, preparing professional talent to lead the Bank into the future, and cultivating an innovative, engaging, and empowering work environment. He noted that cooperation among HR teams across all geographies remains a cornerstone of NBK's continued excellence and leadership in both regional and global arenas. NBK is recognized for its exceptional workplace culture and invests heavily in employee development. The Bank actively fosters creativity and innovation within its workforce—key drivers that contribute to its distinguished standing in the local and regional banking sector.
