National Bank Launches First Cohort of 'ON Academy'

In a move reflecting its ongoing commitment to investing in young national talent and supporting the development of Kuwait’s media and entertainment sector, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) launched the first cohort of the “ON Academy” program, in partnership with Ooredoo Kuwait. The initiative aims to discover Kuwaiti talent, develop their capabilities, and empower them to build promising career paths in media, content creation, and creative production.

The opening ceremony was attended by participants, organizers, and a select group of media and entertainment experts, marking the start of a training journey targeting approximately 50 talented and ambitious participants. The specialized program combines practical training, professional mentoring, and experiential learning that mirrors real-world conditions in the sector.

ON Academy embodies a shared vision between NBK and Ooredoo, focused on empowering Kuwaiti youth and investing in their potential and talents by providing a specialized training environment that helps develop skills, refine capabilities, and open up promising career opportunities in the media and entertainment industry.

The program aims to prepare a new generation of media talent capable of meeting future demands by equipping participants with the knowledge and expertise needed to work in diverse fields, including film directing, television presenting, digital content creation, and social media influence, alongside other specialties relevant to the modern media landscape.

It features a comprehensive training curriculum that integrates theoretical knowledge with practical application, allowing participants to benefit from the expertise of leading specialists, academics, and professionals. This approach enhances their readiness for the job market and equips them with skills aligned with the requirements of modern media and the digital economy.

Commenting on the occasion, Assistant Vice President of Public Relations and Events Management at NBK, Yaqoub Al-Baqer, said: “ON Academy serves as a comprehensive platform for preparing and qualifying young media talent by combining practical training, professional mentoring, and direct experience gained from industry specialists. We hope this initiative will enhance participants’ readiness and enable them to build successful career paths in the media and entertainment sector.”

Al-Baqer added: “The media and content creation sector is currently undergoing rapid transformations that open wide horizons for young talent. This underscores the importance of equipping participants with practical skills and professional expertise to keep pace with these changes, strengthen their readiness, and capitalize on the promising opportunities offered by this growing sector.”

He continued: “The Academy highlights the importance of collaborative efforts among private sector institutions and represents a model of purposeful partnerships aimed at creating a sustainable impact on society by providing high-quality learning and development opportunities and enabling youth to gain practical experience that enhances their professional readiness.”

Al-Baqer emphasized: “Supporting youth is one of the key pillars of the Bank’s corporate social responsibility strategy. We at NBK are proud of our strong track record of initiatives aimed at empowering youth across various fields—educational, professional, and entrepreneurial—driven by our belief that investing in national talent is a direct investment in Kuwait’s future and sustainable development.”

Through its programs and community initiatives, NBK continues to invest in human capital development by launching and supporting high-impact projects aimed at developing the skills of Kuwaiti youth and enhancing their readiness for the future.

The launch of the ON Academy follows the bank’s efforts to empower younger generations, prepare national cadres capable of meeting future demands, and contribute effectively to the development process, thereby reinforcing its role as a key partner in supporting society and building a more prosperous future for Kuwait.