Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies Organizes Focus Group Session for HR and Training Managers in Insurance Sector

 The Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies (EIBFS), a regional leader in banking and finance education and training, organized its first quarterly focus group session with HR and training managers of insurance companies based in the UAE. Seeking to solicit professional opinions on the institute’s proposed programmes for the year, the meeting drew the participation of 37 representatives of leading local and multinational insurance companies.

Jamal Al Jassmi, General Manager of EIBFS, said: “The session is an opportunity not only to introduce the programmes that EIBFS plans to conduct in 2017 but also to understand the specific needs of the respective organizations. The valuable feedback of industry experts will enable us to implement modifications to our training platforms to enhance their quality and relevance.

Participants included Souraya Ajineh, Senior Manager of Reinsurance and Risk Management at Insurance House, Amal Osman, Senior Talent and Development Manager at AXA Gulf, Gladys Kimweli, Head of Organisational Development and Talent at MetLife, Aruma George, HR, Admin and Internal Communications Director at Royal & Sun Alliance (RSA) Insurance, Eiad Absi, HR Director at Al Fujairah National Insurance Company (AFNIC), and Benny Baby John, Administration Manager at Al Sagr National Insurance Company.

Noura Abbas Ahmed, Director of Training Department at EIBFS, welcomed the attendees to the forum and presented the plans for 2017. Outlining the institute’s training needs analysis for the sector, she pointed out that the number of UAE nationals participating in the programs had increased from 172 to 235 over the last four years. Furthermore, the number of courses targeting the insurance sector witnessed a significant jump from 45 in 2013 to 93 in 2016, and the total number of participants more than doubled from 876 to 1,795 during the same period.

She said: “This focus group session with key representatives of the insurance sector is crucial to us at EIBFS. We rely on their input to address possible gaps in competencies that the industry faces and revise our curricula systematically to factor in these needs. Regular interaction with HR and training managers allows EIBFS to tailor programs to the expectations of companies and elevate the standards of training that the institute offers.”

Participants presented several constructive suggestions to improve the institute’s training programs. Among the most important ones were developing customized courses for companies, adding more advanced training modules, and introducing Arabic business writing, especially in the areas of documentation and contracts. Filtering the training programmes in the Annual Training Plan brochure according to the level and including case studies from the sector also featured high on the list. In addition, the focus group discussed the need for a professional certificate programme for the insurance sector, such as the globally accepted Certificate in Insurance (CII).

Aruma George of RSA said: “RSA maps out its employees against key functional and core capabilities. Core capabilities support the individual’s professional development and career growth, while functional capabilities enable him/ her to perform effectively in his/ her current role. The former is mapped according to RSA's Expectations – a set of employee behaviours that define our culture and people – and the aim is to run these through tailor-made courses with EIBFS. Equally, we focus on providing functional capability development opportunities for staff by giving them opportunities to attend a range of EIBFS training courses.”  

During the session, Noura Abbas Ahmed also stressed the importance of achieving the target of hiring 1,000 UAE nationals in the banking and financial services sector within 100 days that the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation set in late December 2016. The target is part of the ministry’s Government Accelerators initiative under the directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

She added that EIBFS is continually seeking to assess the needs of insurance companies with regard to the skills of new Emirati recruits and aims to provide the necessary training to empower them with critical leadership competencies.

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About EIBFS 

The Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies (EIBFS) was founded in 1983. As a leading independent training centre, it offers world-class education, training and allied services in the critical areas of banking and finance. Based in the UAE, EIBFS 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. EIBFS 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 EIBFS 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.