Al-Watani Launches the Third Cohort of the Al-Watani Technology Academy

National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) launched the third cohort of its “NBK Technology Academy” program, reaffirming its steadfast commitment to investing in national human capital and continuing its efforts to attract, develop, and qualify young talents to keep pace with the demands of the digital economy and contribute to supporting the bank’s digital transformation journey and future growth.

The “NBK Technology Academy” is the first academy of its kind in Kuwait, focusing on digital technologies and data systems. It was specifically designed for recent graduates in technological disciplines to equip them with the technical and professional skills necessary to build successful career paths amid the rapidly evolving and constantly changing technological landscape.

The program aligns with NBK’s vision of preparing national cadres ready for the future and capable of keeping up with rapid technological advancements. It achieves this through a comprehensive development experience that combines specialized learning, practical training, real-world applications, and direct exposure to the work environment, thereby helping to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and labor market requirements.

Spanning six months, the program provides participants with intensive training covering a wide range of modern technical fields, including financial technology, data analytics, technology ethics, cybersecurity, digital payment fundamentals, digital innovation, artificial intelligence, and programming. It also covers business and finance concepts for non-financial specialists, keeping pace with the rapid transformations occurring in the global banking sector.

The program also focuses on developing professional and soft skills that are essential for the success of young talents, including teamwork, team building, analytical thinking, project and change management, results orientation, communication and presentation skills, customer service, professional productivity, work ethics, and continuous learning. Participants gain practical experience across various bank departments, offering them the opportunity to closely observe the nature of modern banking work and familiarize themselves with the latest digital applications used in the sector. This hands-on experience contributes to enhancing their professional readiness and enabling them to transform their academic knowledge into valuable applied skills.

Commenting on the occasion, Abdulaziz Al-Khalid, Talent Management Officer at NBK, said: “NBK believes that investing in people is the most important and sustainable investment, and empowering Kuwaiti youth with future-oriented skills and experiences represents one of the key pillars for continuing the journey of success and innovation. From this perspective, the NBK Technology Academy continues to play its role as a specialized platform for preparing and qualifying recent graduates from technical disciplines by providing them with a comprehensive mix of technical, professional, and commercial skills needed to succeed in a work environment characterized by rapid change and development.”

He clarified that the academy represents an advanced model of professional development that combines academic knowledge with practical application, offering participants a unique opportunity to learn and gain experience through direct interaction with the banking work environment and the technologies driving the future of the sector. It also contributes to building capabilities that foster innovative thinking, the ability to handle modern technologies, and the creation of solutions that support the digital transformation journey.

Al-Khalid added: “The launch of the third cohort reflects the success of this distinctive program and the bank’s continued commitment to investing in technology and developing young national talents, as they are among the most important drivers of future growth. We are proud to contribute to preparing the next generation of Kuwaiti tech talents and empowering them to play an active role in supporting the bank’s digital transformation and contributing to building a more innovative and sustainable future for the banking sector and the national economy.”

The “NBK Technology Academy” embodies NBK’s commitment to developing the next generation of technical talent, reflecting its vision aimed at building a sustainable system of qualified national cadres capable of continuing to support the bank’s digital transformation journey and enhancing its ability to achieve growth and leadership in the future.