UAE: Sharjah Islamic Bank launches Ruwaad 2025 to train Emiratis for leadership roles in banking

Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) has officially kicked off the new cycle of its flagship talent development initiative, Ruwaad 2025 . The programme is tailored to nurture and prepare high-potential Emiratis for leadership roles in the banking and finance industry, with a focus on nationalisation, professional training, and strategic capability building.

Ruwaad 2025: A strategic investment in Emirati talent
Sharjah Islamic Bank’s Ruwaad programme, now entering its 2025 cycle, stands as one of the bank’s cornerstone initiatives for human capital development. Designed specifically for outstanding Emirati professionals, the programme aims to equip them with the expertise required to thrive in a rapidly evolving financial sector.

Ruwaad adopts a structured, specialised training framework that focuses on three core areas:

• Professional growth
• Leadership development
• Technical skill enhancement

This approach directly supports SIB’s broader vision of cultivating a sustainable pipeline of banking talent capable of adapting to sector shifts and contributing to the UAE’s long-term financial leadership.

Programme launch: Orientation and overview
To officially launch the new batch of Ruwaad 2025, SIB hosted an introductory session for the incoming participants. The session was attended by senior leadership, including:

• Fadheela Al Marzouqi, Head of Human Resources at SIB
• Hakam Abu Zarour, Chief Operating Officer at SIB

During the session, participants received a comprehensive briefing on the programme’s goals, structure, and training roadmap. The bank also detailed the extensive support systems in place to ensure a well-rounded development experience throughout the training period.

Fadheela Al Marzouqi emphasised the strategic value of Ruwaad 2025, describing it as a key pillar of SIB’s talent development and nationalisation strategy . She noted that the initiative reflects the bank’s consistent commitment to empowering Emiratis with the skills and vision needed to lead in a sector facing ongoing transformation.

Inside the Ruwaad 2025 programme
Ruwaad 2025 delivers an intensive, hands-on training experience tailored specifically to Emirati employees. It includes a blend of technical education, leadership training, and real-world application, structured to meet both individual growth and industry demands.

Key components of the programme include:

• Specialised training tracks focusing on:
  
  
  • Leadership and management development
  • Technical proficiency across banking operations
  • Sector-specific challenges and innovations
    
• Job rotations across various banking departments, allowing participants to gain cross-functional insights and practical experience.
• Personalised mentorship led by senior SIB leaders, offering access to professional guidance and industry expertise.
• Community engagement activities embedded within the programme, supporting SIB’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) framework and encouraging participants to contribute beyond the workplace.

Each element of the programme is delivered within a structured timeline, ensuring a step-by-step developmental journey that builds both competence and confidence among participants.

Why Ruwaad matters
Ruwaad 2025 is more than a training initiative—it is a strategic milestone in SIB’s broader mission to shape the next generation of Emirati banking professionals. By combining intensive training, mentorship, and real-world exposure, the programme is designed to:

• Help participants fulfill their career aspirations
• Build a pipeline of future-ready leaders
• Foster innovation within the financial sector
• Support the UAE’s goals of national talent development and global financial competitiveness

Through this initiative, Sharjah Islamic Bank not only invests in people but also reinforces its role in shaping a resilient and forward-looking banking ecosystem aligned with the UAE’s long-term vision.