- DIB signs strategic MOU with Informa Connect Academy at HRSE Dubai to boost professional education and workforce development across the UAE and GCC.
- The partnership, anchored by DIB Academy, will co-develop, deliver, and quality-assure training programs, including Islamic banking and finance courses.
- Initiative aims to upskill regional professionals, offer globally recognized certifications, and strengthen the UAE’s knowledge-based economy.
DIB has signed a strategic MOU with Informa Connect Academy during the HRSE Dubai event, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of professional education, certification, and people development across the UAE and the wider GCC region. This alliance will be anchored by DIB Academy-the bank's recently established learning and development arm-which is designed to shape future-ready talent through best-in-class training and capability-building programs.
Under the terms of the agreement, the two partners will collectively develop, deliver and quality-assure professional training programs, benefiting not only DIB's own human capital but also employees in various fields across the region. DIB Academy will play a key role in this effort by spearheading the training on Islamic banking and finance, further enhancing the competency level and standards of the financial services profession within the region.
Informa Connect Academy, an internationally recognized provider of bespoke training and certification, will partner with the initiative by auditing, reviewing and approving courses as part of a shared curriculum panel to ensure that all programs are aligned with the highest academic and professional standards.
Rafia Al Abbar, Head of Human Resources at DIB, emphasized the strategic importance of this deal. Learning and development remain one of the core drivers of continued performance and organizational resilience in today's environment. The partnership, she stated, underlines DIB's long-term commitment to developing talent not only within the bank but also in the wider business environment.
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Al Abbar also said DIB Academy is envisioned as a place that brings together knowledge, innovation, and collaboration for sustainable professional development. By combining its rich expertise in Islamic finance with Informa's global learning capabilities, this initiative aims to equip professionals with the relevant skills and knowledge to thrive in an increasingly dynamic regional economy.
The MOU lays out a detailed roadmap for the co-development of curricula, design of professional certifications, and joint delivery of training programs for various internal and external audiences. It also reiterates mutual commitment to knowledge sharing, sector-wide capacity building, and alignment with evolving industrial standards.
Nicola Bell, Head of Learning Solutions at Informa Connect Academy, said they were proud to be partnering with DIB Academy and added that the synergy between the two institutions will help elevate the standards of professional education across many sectors. She said the partnership will make sure every course offered has a base in relevance, rigor, and quality.
While the initiative is likely to directly enrich the learning experience of DIB employees, the training opportunities created through this collaboration will also extend to professionals across the region in pursuit of skill enhancement, globally recognized certifications, and career growth. This agreement, therefore, underlines the shared vision aimed at empowering the regional professional learning ecosystem, nurturing talent development, and furthering the UAE's progress toward a diversified, knowledge-based economy.
