Archive for month: November, 2023

Wednesday, 22 November 2023

The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) announced a strategic partnership with UpGradelle, a leading French-based consultancy firm specialised in digital transformation architectures, with the main aim of developing capabilities in the field of Digital Transformation and Agile Project Management. The agreement was signed during the distinguished visit of His Excellency, the Ambassador of France, Mr. Eric Giraud-Telme, who serves to strengthen education and training ties between Bahrain and France.

On this occasion, Dr. Nesrine Beldi Miro Padovani, Co-founder, and CEO of UpGradelle stated, “At UpGradelle, we are thrilled to embark on this transformative journey with the BIBF to empower the Kingdom of Bahrain’s human capital, equipping them with the essential skills to spearhead agile transformations within their respective organisations.”

On his part, Dr. Ahmed Al Shaikh, Chief Executive Officer of the BIBF stated, “This collaboration, with its focus on advancing capabilities in Digital Transformation and Agile Project Management, is set to strengthen the BIBF’s position as a leader in delivering state-of-the-art training and development solutions in this crucial field. As industries worldwide embrace agile methodologies to navigate the challenges of the digital era, the BIBF, with the support of UpGradelle as a digital leader, plans to equip Bahrain’s financial and business sectors with highly skilled agile leaders that can catalyse the change in business operations.”

Ms. Maryam Majed, Head of Digital Transformation and Project Management Centre at the BIBF, stated, “This partnership marks a strategic step in our commitment to equipping professionals with the skills needed to drive digital transformation in their respective organisations. Together with Upgradelle, we aim to empower Bahrain’s workforce, ensuring they are at the forefront of innovation.”

As Bahrain continues its journey towards becoming a digital hub, this collaboration between the BIBF and Upgradelle is poised to cultivate a future where Bahrain’s cadres lead in digital literacy and innovation. It is a step towards ensuring that Bahrain’s human capital is not just prepared for the future but are active contributors to the ongoing digital revolution.

Tuesday, 21 November 2023

The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) received Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha May bint Suleiman Al-Otaibi, the Chairperson of Bahrain Bayan School and the executive delegation. Dr. Shaikha Al Otaibi was welcomed by Dr. Ahmed Abdul Hamid Al Shaikh, Chief Executive Officer of the BIBF. Both parties actively explored potential areas of collaboration and joint projects, emphasising the benefits of establishing a robust partnership in the field of education.

During the visit, Her Excellency highlighted the distinguished efforts made by the Institute in preparing academically and professionally qualified graduates that meet the needs of the labour market, stressing the importance of strengthening ties of cooperation and coordination between the two sides to develop the education sector, in a way that contributes to supporting the development process in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

During the visit, the BIBF team showcased the institute’s academic achievements and innovation, presenting data on student successes, impactful programmes, and recent awards and recognitions. This demonstration reinforced the BIBF’s steadfast commitment and its positive influence on students’ accomplishments.

Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha May toured the BIBF’s building, during which she was briefed on the various available facilities and educational infrastructure available to students, that provides a high-level, distinguished training and educational environment. She was also briefed on the most prominent academic achievements and initiatives of the institute. Her Excellency also acknowledged the institute’s unwavering commitment to excellence in academic education and training development, featuring demonstrations of innovative teaching methods, collaborative projects, and the latest technological advancements in education available at the BIBF.

The BIBF’s CEO expressed gratitude for the visit, noting that it underscores Bahrain Bayan School’s keenness in providing its graduates with a unique educational experience through the BIBF’s academic programmes, aligned with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Higher Education Council’s quality assurance standards. He also commended Her Excellency’s contributions to supporting the educational process and diversifying development paths at Bahrain Bayan School, positioning it as an advanced and distinguished model among private educational institutions in the Kingdom.

Tuesday, 14 November 2023:

The Board of Directors of the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) convened for its third annual meeting, presided over by Mr. Rasheed Mohammed Al Maraj, Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain and Chairman of the Institute’s Board of Directors.

In line with the wise leadership’s directives aimed at advancing training and development standards, the Board of Directors affirmed its unwavering commitment to enhancing the outcomes of specialised training. The meeting, attended by esteemed members of the Board and the Institute’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ahmed Al-Shaikh, focused on crucial agenda items and the Institute’s strategic work plan.

At the outset of the meeting, Chairman Al Maraj and Board members expressed their dedication to implementing the leadership’s vision for advancing the training and development of national human cadres in the Kingdom of Bahrain. They emphasised the Board’s persistent efforts to elevate the specialised training outcomes. The Board extended gratitude to government and private entities for their collaboration in facilitating training programmes and acknowledged the exemplary efforts of the Institute’s administrative staff.

The session included a comprehensive review and discussion of the Institute’s current and future programmes and initiatives, as well as an examination of the financial results for the preceding period of the current year.

Emphasising the paramount importance of offering cutting-edge training programmes aligned with global developments, Chairman Al Maraj and Board members highlighted the need to maintain outstanding performance. The Board underscored its commitment to achieving the Institute’s aspirations and goals for the forthcoming years.

The BIBF’s mission revolves around elevating the skill set of national cadres in the financial sector to match the dynamic developments in the industry. This commitment is realised through diverse training programmes, with a special focus on financial technologies, executive management sciences, and cybersecurity requirements.

The Board of Directors remains resolute in its pursuit of excellence, ensuring that the BIBF continues to be a beacon for professional development in the financial sector.

Wednesday, 8^th November 2023

The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) has concluded a high-level tech masterclass on Machine Learning in Banking & Finance, designed to equip participants with valuable insights and tools to harness the power of data and machine learning in the banking and finance field.

The masterclass, led by Dr. Sudhakar Raju, a renowned Harvard University Professor, introduced participants to the versatile programming language R, a popular programming language used for statistical computing and graphical presentation, making it accessible even to individuals with no prior programming experience. The programme began with fundamental concepts and progressively delved into the world of machine learning, with a strong focus on practical applications within finance and banking. Participants learned about statistical modelling, multiple linear regression, logistic regression, portfolio optimisation, clustering, decision trees, and much more. The integration of R into the course ensured that participants had a hands-on experience to apply their knowledge effectively.

Ms. Maryam Majed, Head of Digital Transformation and Project Management Centre at the BIBF, stated, “This masterclass reflects the BIBF’s commitment to nurturing digital talents in the financial sector, equipping them with the essential skills needed to drive the accelerated shift within their respective organisations.”

She added, ‘We are entering a new era where data and technology are the primary drivers of the economy and development. Embracing machine learning technologies in the financial sector allows institutions to gain a competitive edge, enhance decision-making processes, and improve financial endeavors.”

Ms. Maryam also mentioned that the ‘Tech Masterclass’ concept was introduced last year, to reflect the BIBF’s commitment to being responsive to market requirements by introducing training opportunities on trending topics, staying at the forefront of tech training and providing professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.