The National Digital Talent Program aims to nurture the UAE’s national workforce to become proficient in AI and related technologies
As part of its efforts to support the UAE government’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, Emirates NBD has partnered with the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Office to launch the ‘National Digital Talent Program’.
The programme aims to nurture the UAE’s national workforce to become proficient in AI and related technologies. In line with the programme, Emirates NBD has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with partners including Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) and the University of Sharjah (UoS), to provide the necessary resources to equip young UAE nationals with critical skills and practical knowledge needed to flourish in the field of digital and information technologies including AI.
With a high percentage of the UAE student population pursuing core STEM areas including Information Communication Technology (ICT), Engineering, and Natural Sciences, Emirates NBD highlighted an excellent opportunity to upskill STEM graduates. Through its new talent program, the banking group aims to nurture and develop young Emiratis, making them future-ready to support the digital economy while bridging academia and industry.
Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, affirmed the UAE’s keenness to prepare future generations, building their capabilities, and equipping them with advanced knowledge, enabling them to contribute un the UAE Government mission in creating an innovative future, enhancing its global status.
Emirates NBD will offer internship opportunities for UAE national students to shape their future and create a stronger talent pipeline to support the bank’s Digital and Information Technology departments through its partnership with Higher Colleges of Technology and the University of Sharjah.
The paid internships will provide undergraduate students with exposure to the latest technologies and innovations in the financial services industry and directly learn from its digital transformation leaders in Artificial Intelligence, Cloud, Open Banking, Robotics, Platforms, FinTech and Security.
“We are extremely pleased to support the UAE’s mission to become one of the world leaders in Artificial Intelligence by 2031. As a leading regional bank and a pioneer in the digital services industry, we are confident that in partnership with the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Office and prestigious institutions such as Higher Colleges of Technology and the University of Sharjah, we can help develop the digital capabilities of young UAE talent, who form the future of the nation and will contribute to building an agile, future-proof economy. As a bank that has always championed innovation and is a leader in digital banking, we are committed to catalysing the digital capabilities of our future workforce and will continue to invest in building the national digital economy,” said Abdulla Qassem, Group Chief Operating Officer, Emirates NBD.
Participants of the programme will also have an opportunity to gain valuable experience in solving financial technology challenges as capstone projects, which they would showcase at internal and external platforms such as Coders HQ, part of the National Program for Coders initiatives.
Emirates NBD also supports the Coders HQ’s mission to create the highest number of coders per capita and attract global talent to set up their base in the UAE. In line with this, the bank will provide more than 20 real-world business challenges through structured events, including coding hackathons, design and test hacks, and deliver at least 40 curated learning interventions with the help of top digital and information technology leaders.
