National Bank of Kuwait and Ooredoo conclude first batch of 'ON Academy' program

National Bank of Kuwait, in partnership with Kuwait’s Ooredoo, concluded the first cohort of the “ON Academy” program by graduating 30 young Kuwaiti talents in media, content creation, and creative production, following an intensive training journey that combined theoretical education with practical application under the supervision of a select group of specialists and experts in the sector.

“ON Academy” embodies a strategic partnership between National Bank of Kuwait and Ooredoo, aimed at supporting and empowering young Kuwaiti talents by providing a specialized training environment that integrates education with hands-on practice, contributing to the development of a new generation of skilled professionals capable of keeping pace with the evolving demands of the growing media and content creation industry.

The closing ceremony featured presentations of the projects and works completed by participants throughout the program, showcasing the skills and practical experience they acquired across various fields, including digital content creation, television presenting, directing, and social media influence, alongside several other disciplines relevant to the modern media landscape.

Throughout the program, participants benefited from a comprehensive training curriculum that blended academic and practical components, supervised by a distinguished group of specialists, experts, and industry professionals. This provided them with direct learning opportunities and practical experience, enhancing their professional readiness and enabling them to explore promising career prospects in media and entertainment.

The program crowned a rich training journey that allowed participants to develop their creative abilities and refine their professional skills within an interactive educational environment focused on practical application and real-world experience, thereby strengthening their capacity to meet labor market demands and capitalize on the abundant opportunities in the media and content creation sectors.

On this occasion, Yaqoub Al-Baqer, Assistant Vice President – Public Relations and Events Management at National Bank of Kuwait, stated: “We are proud today of the achievements accomplished by participants in the first cohort of ON Academy. We have witnessed the depth of passion, commitment, and genuine desire among young Kuwaitis to develop their capabilities and embark on new experiences in media and creative fields. The projects and works presented at the closing ceremony confirm their promising potential, which deserves support, nurturing, and further opportunities for development.”

Al-Baqer added: “The program’s objective was not merely to provide technical training, but to offer a comprehensive experience that allows participants to engage in a professional training environment, learn directly from specialized professional expertise, and gain close insight into the realities of the modern media industry. We believe that empowering youth begins by providing them with the right opportunities to discover their capabilities, develop their skills, and transform their creative ideas into future projects and career paths.”

He continued: “The media and content creation sector is experiencing rapid growth and continuous developments that create new opportunities for creative youth. Therefore, we were keen to equip participants with practical skills and tools that help them keep pace with these changes, enhance their competitiveness, and succeed in a work environment that increasingly relies on innovation, creativity, and effective utilization of digital technologies.”

Al-Baqer emphasized that the success of the first cohort of the Academy reflects the importance of collaborative efforts by private sector institutions in supporting young national talents, noting that the cooperation with Ooredoo contributed to delivering a high-quality training experience that enabled participants to acquire practical skills and experiences that enhance their professional readiness.

For his part, Nasser Hamad Al-Arfaj, Director of Strategic and Public Relations at Ooredoo Kuwait, said: “We are proud of our strategic partnership with a prestigious financial institution like National Bank of Kuwait, which embodies both parties’ commitment to providing high-quality opportunities for Kuwaiti youth and encouraging them to explore their creative potential and develop their career paths in the media and content creation sectors.”

Al-Arfaj added: “What the participants have achieved in this cohort underscores the importance of offering specialized initiatives that combine practical training with professional mentoring, helping to prepare young professionals equipped with the necessary skills and confidence to keep pace with the rapid transformations in the digital economy and creative industries.”

Al-Arfaj emphasized that digital media has today become one of the sectors offering promising opportunities for young people to showcase their talents and build new career paths. He highlighted the importance of initiatives that help them discover these opportunities and develop their capabilities to make the best use of them. He noted that the support witnessed from media institutions, along with their encouragement of the distinguished trainees who underwent training during the previous period, confirms that the media market is in great need of new media professionals entering the field. Many graduates of the Academy have been adopted by various media institutions, which indicates that the Academy has successfully achieved its intended goals: creating practical opportunities for graduates and producing a new generation of Kuwaiti media professionals and content creators who uphold high standards of journalistic integrity and media ethics.

The “ON Academy” program reflects the shared vision between National Bank of Kuwait and Ooredoo Kuwait in supporting initiatives aimed at developing national talents and opening new horizons for them. This collaboration has contributed to delivering a distinctive experience that combines the diverse expertise of both parties, thereby enhancing the program’s value and impact in developing participants’ capabilities and preparing them to leverage the opportunities offered by the media and content creation sectors.

Several graduates from the first cohort of “ON Academy” expressed their appreciation for the experience provided by the program, affirming that it contributed to developing their professional skills and broadening their horizons in the fields of media and content creation.

Tayba Al-Najjar said: “The Academy gave me a unique opportunity to learn from a select group of experts and specialists. It also helped me acquire practical skills that boosted my confidence in my abilities and enabled me to gain a deeper understanding of the requirements of media work.”

Osman Al-Ahmad said: “What distinguishes ON Academy is its focus on the practical aspect. We were given the opportunity to work on real-world projects and benefit from diverse professional experiences, which helped refine our skills and develop our creative capabilities.”

Dana Bin Salama emphasized that the program marked an important starting point in her career, stating: “The Academy equipped us with modern tools and knowledge in content creation and digital media, and enhanced our awareness of promising opportunities that we can build upon in the future to achieve our professional aspirations.”

For his part, Ali Al-Dawood said: “Our benefit from the Academy extended beyond acquiring professional skills and knowledge; it also gave us the opportunity to build a network of relationships and connect with experts and specialists in the sector. I thank National Bank of Kuwait and Ooredoo Kuwait for this initiative, which reflected a genuine interest in empowering Kuwaiti youth and opening avenues for them to explore new opportunities in the fields of media and content creation.”

National Bank of Kuwait continues its leading role in corporate social responsibility by launching and sponsoring distinctive initiatives aimed at empowering Kuwaiti youth and developing their skills across various educational and professional fields. “ON Academy” extends the bank’s ongoing efforts to support young national talent, providing opportunities that help them discover their potential, enhance their capabilities, and prepare for future demands, driven by its conviction that youth are the cornerstone of development and key to building a more prosperous future for Kuwait.