Al-Watani Renewed Strategic Partnership with Spanish IE University
The National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has renewed its strategic partnership agreement with the Spanish IE University, one of the world’s leading academic institutions specializing in higher education, reaffirming its ongoing commitment to investing in human capital and fostering a culture of learning, development, and innovation across the Group.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Emad Al-Abdullah, Head of Human Resources at NBK Group, and German Vivaz Lamozas, Head of Corporate Accounts at IE University, alongside several senior leaders and officials from both sides.
The renewal of this partnership underscores the success of the joint collaboration between the two parties over the past years and their shared determination to continue working together, supporting the Bank’s efforts to prepare qualified banking professionals equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to keep pace with the rapid transformations occurring in the financial and banking sectors at both local and global levels.
Under the renewed agreement, the Bank will continue to leverage the academic and research expertise provided by IE University through specialized educational and training programs designed to meet the development needs of the Bank and its employees. These include executive education and postgraduate programs, as well as initiatives aimed at enhancing institutional innovation and developing solutions that support performance, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen competitiveness.
The agreement also enables NBK employees to benefit from the diverse educational opportunities offered by the university, including attending conferences, academic and professional events, specialized lectures, and knowledge-sharing sessions delivered by a distinguished group of global experts and academics.
The partnership benefits extend to the employees’ families, as the university continues to provide academic support benefits and programs that offer them unique opportunities to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies within a global educational environment characterized by innovation, diversity, and openness to the latest trends in business, management, and technology.
Commenting on the occasion, Najla Al-Saqqa, First Vice President and Head of Talent and Learning at NBK, said: “The renewal of our partnership with IE University reflects our firm belief that investing in people is the most sustainable and impactful investment. Through the continuation of this collaboration, we aim to enhance our employees’ readiness for the future and empower them to acquire advanced skills and knowledge that support their career progression and keep pace with the rapid developments in the banking sector.”
She added: “We view talent development as a long-term strategic investment. Therefore, we are committed to providing the best learning and development opportunities in collaboration with prestigious global academic institutions. This approach has helped solidify NBK’s position as one of the most attractive employers for Kuwaiti talents and graduates, by offering a supportive work environment that provides employees with genuine opportunities for professional growth and the development of leaders capable of adapting to changes and shaping the future.”
She emphasized that the renewal of the agreement embodies the shared commitment of both parties to reinforce a culture of continuous learning, encourage innovation, and promote knowledge exchange, which positively impacts the work environment and contributes to achieving the Bank’s long-term strategic objectives.
For his part, German Vivaz Lamozas expressed his pleasure at the continued cooperation with NBK, affirming that the renewal of the partnership reflects the mutual trust between both sides and the success achieved by joint initiatives over the past years.
He added, “We are proud to continue our partnership with a prestigious financial institution, and we look forward to expanding our collaboration to enable bank employees and their families to benefit from advanced educational opportunities, as well as world-class academic and executive programs that contribute to talent development and enhance their readiness to meet future demands.”
Through these strategic partnerships, Al Ahli continues to strengthen its position as one of the leading institutions investing in human capital development. It places education, training, and talent development at the forefront of its strategic priorities, driven by the conviction that human capital is the fundamental pillar for achieving sustainable growth and maintaining leadership in the banking sector.
It is worth noting that IE University, founded in 1973, is one of the world’s leading universities, consistently ranking highly in numerous prestigious international academic rankings issued by specialized global institutions and platforms.
