National Bank of Kuwait Renewed Strategic Partnership with Spanish IE University to Enhance Competency Development and Corporate Innovation

National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has renewed its strategic partnership agreement with Spain’s IE University, one of the world’s leading academic institutions specializing in higher education, in line with 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, Director of Corporate Accounts at IE University, along with several 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 commitment to continuing their work together to support the bank’s efforts in preparing 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, NBK will continue to benefit from the academic and research expertise provided by IE University through specialized educational and training programs designed according to the development needs of the bank and its employees. These include executive education and graduate studies programs, alongside initiatives aimed at enhancing institutional innovation and developing solutions that support performance, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen competitiveness.

The agreement also enables bank employees to take advantage of 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 benefits of the partnership extend to the employees’ families, as IE University continues to offer academic support benefits and programs that provide them with 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.

On this occasion, Najla Al-Saqqa, First Vice President and Head of Talent and Learning at NBK, stated: “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.”

Al-Saqqa 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, Mr. 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 cooperation 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, National Bank of Kuwait continues to strengthen its position as one of the leading institutions investing in the development of its human capital, placing education, training, and talent development at the forefront of its strategic priorities. This is driven by its conviction that human capital constitutes 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 among the world’s leading universities, maintaining a strong presence in numerous prestigious international academic rankings issued by specialized global institutions and platforms.