Al-Watani Organizes Specialized Guidance Session for Participants in the 'Kan' Program
In line with its firm commitment to empowering Kuwaiti youth and supporting the aspirations of the next generation to become a driving force for the future, participants in the “Kan” program noted that it contributed to developing their skills and provided them with the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of specialists at National Bank of Kuwait (NBK).
Mohammed Al-Habashi stated: “Our partnership with ‘Loyak’ has yielded, over the years, the launch and support of several programs targeted at youth. We are committed to providing practical support to participants to develop their ideas and transform them into projects with tangible impact.”
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National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) announced that, as part of its ongoing support for the “Kan” social entrepreneurship program, organized by the Loyak Volunteer Foundation, the bank hosted a specialized mentoring session aimed at supporting participants and empowering them to develop their social and environmental ideas and projects by leveraging the bank’s staff expertise and professional experiences.
In a press statement, the bank added that the session featured practical guidance and professional insights provided by NBK, helping participants refine their entrepreneurial ideas and transform them into more mature and actionable initiatives. This took place within an interactive environment that allowed them to present their ideas, discuss them, and receive direct feedback from specialists. The session also aimed to transfer knowledge to students regarding corporate work, planning, and idea development, in addition to offering a range of practical advice.
The “Kan” program is one of the most prominent social entrepreneurship programs for youth. This year marks its eleventh edition, aiming to empower the new generation of change-makers by equipping them with an entrepreneurial mindset and the practical skills necessary to create sustainable social and environmental impact. The program fosters innovative thinking among participants and assists them in transforming their ideas into actionable initiatives and projects that benefit society.
Developed in collaboration with Babson College in Boston, ranked first globally in entrepreneurship education, the program provides participants with a world-class educational experience that combines best academic practices with practical application.
Youth participate in interactive workshops, training activities, and practical experiences, alongside receiving mentoring and guidance from experts, entrepreneurs, and leaders in various fields.
The program also contributes to developing participants’ capabilities in leadership, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making, while boosting their self-confidence and ability to work within diverse teams to develop real projects that serve society. It also offers them the opportunity to hone their skills in professionally presenting ideas and initiatives, thereby qualifying them to effectively address various challenges and create a positive impact in their communities.
The statement added that NBK’s support for the “Kan” program comes within the framework of its strategic partnership with the Loyak Volunteer Foundation, which has resulted over the past years in the launch and support of numerous initiatives and programs targeted at youth.
On this occasion, Mohammed Al-Habashi, Senior Manager – Public Relations and Events Management at NBK, said: “The ‘Kan’ program represents a distinguished platform for inspiring youth and developing their entrepreneurial capabilities. We believe that investing in young talents is an investment in the future of society, and that equipping them with knowledge and practical experience contributes to empowering them to lead positive change and create innovative solutions to societal challenges.”
Al-Habshi added, “We consistently strive to provide practical support to participants by sharing professional expertise and knowledge, helping young people develop their ideas and transform them into projects and initiatives with sustainable social and environmental impact. This initiative also embodies the culture of volunteering and giving that the bank is keen to instill in its staff.”
Al-Habshi emphasized that empowering youth constitutes one of the core pillars of the bank’s corporate social responsibility strategy, noting Al-Ahli’s commitment to supporting initiatives and programs that enhance young people’s skills and hone their leadership and innovative capacities, in alignment with Kuwait Vision 2035 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Participants in the “Kan” program praised the experience it provided, affirming that the training activities and mentoring sessions contributed to developing their personal and entrepreneurial skills, boosting their confidence in their abilities, and offering them the opportunity to benefit from experts’ experiences and exchange ideas and insights with fellow participants.
Student Talia Al-Sharrah said, “The ‘Kan’ program helped develop my self-confidence and enhance my communication and teamwork skills. It also gave me the opportunity to benefit from diverse ideas and experiences that enriched my way of thinking and enabled me to view challenges from different perspectives, thereby strengthening my ability to innovate more effective and impactful solutions.”
For her part, student Al-Jouri Al-Hashash said, “One of the key takeaways from my participation in the program was the ability to transform ideas into actionable projects with tangible impact. The program also helped us adopt a broader perspective on societal challenges, viewing them as opportunities for innovation and finding solutions that contribute to positive and sustainable change in the community.”
Student Faisal Al-Duwish emphasized that a distinctive feature of the “Kan” program is bringing together young people who share a passion for driving positive change, noting that it provided them with the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences and build valuable relationships and friendships that will endure beyond the program’s conclusion.
He added, “The program offered us the chance to learn from inspiring professional experiences and gain practical advice in areas such as leadership and planning, which gave me greater motivation to continue developing my idea, strengthen my entrepreneurial skills, and better prepare to turn it into an actionable project.”
For his part, student Munaf Al-Mulla said, “My parents encouraged me to join the ‘Kan’ program due to its distinguished reputation in developing youth skills. After participating, I realized the true value of this experience, which contributed to enhancing my personal capabilities and raising my awareness of the importance of making positive contributions to society. Therefore, I encourage parents to support and motivate their children to participate in such programs, which enable them to acquire valuable skills and experiences for the future.”
