NBAD Academy and Zayed University offer Master’s degree in Finance

The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) Academy, and Zayed University have extended their partnership to offer a programme leading to Master of Science in Finance.

This new partnership allows NBAD management trainees who are enrolled in the Bank’s AFAQ programme to pursue Zayed University’s curriculum toward the completion of the Master’s degree. The classes would be taught by ZU professors at the state-of-the-art NBAD Academy.

“NBAD and Zayed University enjoy a mutually beneficial and fruitful relationship and we are extremely pleased to expand on our partnership to offer greater educational and career opportunities to our valued staff,” said Ehab Anis Hassan, the Group Chief Human Resources Officer.

Dr. Sulaiman Al Jassim, Vice President of Zayed University valued the collaboration with NBAD, a leading financial institution. NBAD, Dr. Al Jassim said, is committed to applying the concept of "continuous education" through training programmes organised for employees where the development is reflected through their services. He added that the culture of continuous education help institutions cope with the continuous knowledge and technical developments happening in the world today.

“This all requires an effort from our side to keep up and benefit from the change by developing our skills and abilities to raise the level of performance in our institutions,” Dr. Al Jassim said.

NBAD’s exemplary AFAQ Management Trainee Programme lasts approximately 12 months in NBAD’s Academy and it allows young UAE national with a bachelor’s degree within Banking and Finance, business and related industries obtain their post graduate certificate in the first year of the programme, During this period, they mostly attend classes at NBAD Academy and also work in NBAD offices to compliment their education with practical experience.

In the second year of the programme, AFAQ enrollees complete their Master degree and are appointed each to a division in the Bank for their permanent positions.

“The distinguished AFAQ programme defines our commitment to developing the national talent, assuring success of UAE nationals in the banking profession and creating tomorrow’s leaders,” Mr. Hassan said.

“NBAD is already an employer of choice but NBAD is not a static organisation, we proud ourselves in being a forward-looking bank and we know we can only maintain our edge by constantly improving.”

Mr. Hassan added. “Sponsoring a Master’s degree and supplementing it with practical experience during the course of the study would assure that NBAD continues to attract the most motivated UAE nationals and that we contribute greatly toward producing tomorrow UAE leaders.”

Suhaila Al Jasmi, AFAQ program Manager, said: “AFAQ programme is the most competitive Emiratisation programme in the market, and the first initiative in banking industry that offers UAE Nationals full benefits including holidays and attractive income and increments beside career development plan for at least two years after trainees appointment in their permanent positions.”

Launched in 2009, NBAD Academy serves the Bank’s strategy to build a culture of learning and a regional centre of excellence for banking. The Academy supports the development of capabilities that support the Bank to achieve longer term business strategies as well as individual career aspirations. In strategic partnerships with leading international institutes and educational establishments, it delivers world class development programmes including personal effectiveness, executive and leadership development as well professional and technical development.