Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies Reports Record Number of Participants in 2016

• EIBFS trained 23,899 professionals, marking 11% surge over 2015
• Institute enrolled 6,342 UAE nationals, 9% more than in 2015
• 879 training and educational programmes delivered last year

 Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies (EIBFS), a regional leader in banking and finance education and training, has reported record training numbers for the calendar year 2016.

The institute delivered a total of 879 vocational training and educational programmes throughout the year – the highest number to date. EIBFS welcomed a total of 23,899 participants, registering an increase of 11 per cent compared to 2015.  

In line with the government’s objective to boost the professional capacities of UAE nationals, EIBFS enrolled 6,342 Emiratis last year. This represents an increase of 9 per cent over 2015, when 5,796 UAE nationals participated in the institute’s programmes. 

Speaking on the strong performance, Jamal Al Jassmi, General Manager of EIBFS, said: “Our record 2016 operational results reflect EIBFS’s steadfast focus in contributing to the development of the UAE’s growing banking and financial services sector. It is heartening to see the increase in the number of students and professionals who value the curriculum, programmes and workshops we have designed to bring out the best in them and help them advance in their careers. Furthermore, our numbers over the past few years testify to our success in supporting the government’s nationalisation efforts through training young UAE nationals.”

He added: “In keeping with our status as the leading educational institute for banking and finance in the region, we continue to build a learning environment that equips our students to beat back the competition and succeed in their chosen fields. We are confident that our investment in faculty, technology and research as well as our collaboration with valued stakeholders will enable us to maintain our track-record of success for years to come. The continued constructive suggestions to improve our training programs from our stakeholders in the financial sectors, particularly the head of training and human resources, have been of critical significance in catering to the professional competencies that the industry needs.”

With more customised courses in response to the demands of the banking and finance community as well as the job market, EIBFS plans to deliver over 570 annual training programmes (ATPs) across 10 categories in 2017. The categories include Bank Science and Operations, Credit Management and Project Finance, Banking English, Treasury and Capital Market, Marketing, Sales and Customer Service, Human Resources Management and Leadership, Islamic Banking, E-Banking Applications, Risk Management and Compliance, and the newly introduced Quality Management. Each category offers a choice of basic, intermediate or advanced levels.

As part of its strong focus on nationalisation program, the institute’s portfolio comprises a variety of courses that allow talented UAE nationals nominated by their employers to upskill themselves. Among these, the Leadership Development Programme, designed in partnership with the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, received a high uptake in 2016. Last year, EIBFS also hosted a series of workshops and seminars for senior-level professionals from the banking sector.

In 2017, the institute will continue to provide 101 e-learning programmes and organise networking events dedicated to various aspects of the financial sector with the participation of distinguished international speakers. In addition, it will develop new customised training courses to meet the requirements of banks and insurance companies in the UAE and the wider region.

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 programmes 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 programmes have found productive employment at various levels in banks and financial institutions in the UAE and around the world.