DIB Partners with Informa Connect Academy to Drive Learning and Development Excellence

• The agreement will deliver high-quality training and certification programmes through DIB Academy.
• The collaboration supports shared goals of advancing workforce capability, knowledge exchange, and professional growth across the region.

Dubai, UAE – 12^th November 2025

DIB has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Informa Connect Academy at HRSE Dubai, formalising a strategic collaboration to advance professional education, certification, and workforce development across the UAE and wider GCC region. The partnership will be delivered through DIB Academy, the bank’s dedicated learning and development platform, launched earlier this year.

The collaboration establishes a framework for the joint development, delivery, and quality assurance of professional training programmes designed to benefit, not only DIB employees, but also professionals from other organisations across various sectors.

Expanding Professional Education Beyond Banking

Through this partnership, DIB Academy will share its deep expertise in Islamic banking and finance to support capability building across the regional financial sector and beyond. Informa Connect Academy, renowned for its world-class learning and certification programmes, will collaborate with the DIB Academy to audit, review, and approve courses as part of a joint curriculum panel, ensuring the highest standards of academic and professional quality.

Commenting on this collaboration, Rafia Al Abbar, Head of Human Resources at DIB said: “At DIB, we view learning and development as a strategic driver of long-term performance and resilience. This partnership reflects our commitment to nurturing future-ready talent – both within the bank and across the broader business ecosystem. With a strategic focus on driving sustainable professional development, DIB Academy serves as a hub connecting expertise and innovation, while fostering academic collaboration and career growth. By combining our deep expertise in Islamic finance with Informa’s global learning platform, we aim to empower professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving regional economy.”

A Shared Commitment to Excellence and Innovation

The MOU sets out a framework for co-developing learning curricula, co-designing professional certifications, and jointly delivering training programmes for internal and external audiences. The partnership will also promote knowledge exchange, capacity building, and alignment with emerging industry standards.

Nicola Bell, Head of Learning Solutions at Informa Connect Academy, commented: “We are proud to collaborate with DIB Academy to support learning excellence across multiple sectors. This partnership allows us to leverage our combined strengths in professional education, ensuring that every course meets the highest standards of relevance, rigour, and quality.”

Supporting Regional Talent and Growth

While the initiative will directly benefit DIB employees, the learning opportunities developed through this partnership will be open to professionals across the region seeking to enhance their skills, gain globally recognised certifications, and advance their careers.

The agreement reflects a shared vision to strengthen professional learning ecosystems, promote excellence in education, and contribute to the UAE’s ongoing transformation towards a diversified and knowledge-driven economy.