National Bank renews partnership with IE to enhance competency development and 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. This renewal underscores the bank’s 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-Abalany, Head of Human Resources at NBK, and German Vivas Lamuzas, Corporate Account Manager at IE, along with several senior leaders and officials from both sides.
The renewal of the partnership affirms the success of the collaboration between the two parties over the past years and their shared commitment to continuing their work together. This cooperation supports the bank’s efforts to develop a qualified banking workforce equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to keep pace with the rapid transformations taking place in the financial and banking sectors, both locally and globally.
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 to meet the bank’s and its employees’ development needs. 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 the bank’s employees to access a variety of educational opportunities offered by the university, including attending academic and professional conferences and events, participating in specialized lectures, and engaging in knowledge-sharing sessions delivered by a select group of global experts and academics.
The benefits of the partnership extend to the families of the bank’s employees. IE continues to offer academic support programs and benefits that provide them with high-quality opportunities to complete their undergraduate and postgraduate studies within a globally recognized educational environment characterized by innovation, diversity, and openness to the latest trends in business, management, and technology.
On this occasion, Najla Al-Saqar, Deputy President and Head of Talent and Education Management at NBK, stated: “The renewal of our partnership with IE 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 professional careers and keep pace with the continuous developments in the banking sector.”
Al-Saqar 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 skilled professionals and Kuwaiti graduates, by offering a supportive work environment that provides employees with genuine opportunities for professional growth and building leaders capable of adapting to change and leading the future.”
She emphasized that the renewal of the agreement embodies the shared commitment of both parties to instill 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.
NBK 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 was founded in 1973 and is considered one of the world’s leading universities, consistently maintaining a strong position in prestigious international academic rankings.
