BrazilDubai Islamic Bank launches third cohort of Emirati Development Program
Dubai Islamic Bank, the largest Islamic bank in the UAE, has launched the third cohort of its Emirati Development Program, in collaboration with program partners SHRM and Phoenix Consulting.
Launched in 2023, the Emirati Development Program (EDP) provides business leaders and line managers with a personalized learning journey designed to equip them with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving banking sector.
The program’s goal is to nurture the next generation of leaders through a multidisciplinary approach that spans technical, behavioural, and leadership capabilities. A key part of the program is also to strengthen digital knowhow and capabilities, aligned with the bank’s mission to embrace a digital-first culture and become a leader in digital transformation.
Established in 1975, Dubai Islamic Bank is the largest Islamic bank in the United Arab Emirates with total assets of around $80 billion and revenues of $2.4 billion. The bank has over 10,000 staff working across offices and branches across the UAE.
Designed and delivered in conjunction with SHRM (a body for advancing the HR profession) and Phoenix Consulting (a leading human capital consulting and training firm), the third cohort of leaders will over the coming months undergo a customized assessment pathway and learning journey, providing them with the foundation to bring their learnings to their real-life managerial environment.
Commenting on the partnership, Nida Shahid, Director of SHRM’s MENA division, said: “The Emirati Development Program is a key talent management initiative aimed at building future-ready talent pipeline. We’re proud to be supporting this program and to bring great value to the participants.”
Seniora El-Hage, who leads the Phoenix Consulting team supporting the program, added: “This program advances Dubai Islamic Bank Emiratization strategy, strengthens its digital-first capabilities, and nurtures the next generation of leaders. We look forward to supporting Heads of Departments, Line Managers and all other leaders. Together, we’re shaping the future of Emirati leadership.”
Emiratization initiative
The Emirati Development Program is aligned with Dubai Islamic Bank’s deep commitment to the Emiratization initiative, a pillar of UAE Vision 2031 that aims to employ and upskill nationals in a meaningful and efficient manner in both the public and private sectors. The program is also aligned with the UAE’s National Strategy for Higher Education 2030, supporting national efforts to build a knowledge-based economy anchored in skills, innovation, and human capital.
The team running the Emirati Development Program will work closely with DIB Academy, a new institutional platform that was launched in April this year to provide learning opportunities to every employee, in every function and at every level, across the bank. DIB Academy offers internally developed curricula, vocational certifications, and modular learning journey, spanning technical, behavioural, leadership, and regulatory domains.
Adnan Chilwan, Group Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Islamic Bank, commented: “No institution can sustain its leadership without investing in the intellectual depth of its people. The DIB Academy is not about training for today – it is about capability for tomorrow. This initiative reflects our long-term view that knowledge is infrastructure and skills are capital. We are embedding structured learning into the DNA of our organisation, not only to serve our growth, but to elevate professional standards across the sector.”
