Abu dhabi: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE and Chairman of the Emirates Institute of Finance (EIF), today attended the graduation ceremony of 1,200 UAE nationals from the third cohort of the 'Ethraa' Emiratisation programme in the financial sector.
According to Emirates News Agency, the graduation marks another milestone in the programme's efforts to empower and qualify national talent, and prepare a new generation of UAE professionals to contribute to the future growth of the banking, financial and insurance sectors. The ceremony, held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), was attended by members of the CBUAE Board of Directors and Assistant Governors, alongside senior officials from federal and local government entities.
The event featured a presentation on the achievements of the Emirates Institute of Finance in empowering UAE national talent, in line with the UAE's vision to build a sustainable knowledge-based economy. It also highlighted the strategic outcomes of the 'Ethraa' programme, which has since its launch in 2022, trained and qualified 4,750 UAE nationals through specialised training and professional programmes.
Khaled Mohamed Balama commended the support of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in developing the skills of Emirati talent in the financial sector. He emphasized the programme's role in reinforcing the UAE's position as a leading global financial centre and supporting Emiratisation targets.
The ceremony recognized 27 top graduates from the 'Ethraa' programme for their academic and professional excellence and honoured 60 People of Determination who participated in training programmes, reflecting the programme's commitment to inclusion.
Marwan Almheiri, CEO of the Emirates Institute of Finance, highlighted the 'Ethraa' programme as a national model in supporting Emiratisation through advanced training pathways and internationally recognised professional certifications. He noted that the programme includes cooperation with leading international academic and professional institutions.
The ceremony also included the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding and strategic partnerships aimed at accelerating Emiratisation targets and developing human capital. These partnerships aim to strengthen technical cooperation, develop digital solutions, and support the employment of Emirati talent across various regions of the UAE.
Through these partnerships and initiatives, the CBUAE and EIF reaffirm their commitment to developing the capabilities of UAE national talent, supporting the national Emiratisation agenda, and enhancing the competitiveness of the financial sector at regional and global levels.