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Dubai Islamic Bank announces completion of first phase of Qiyadee leadership programme

Group of aspiring UAE nationals successfully complete managerial training programme at Zayed University

36-month programme provides theoretical, practical training for future members of bank management

Dubai, November 21, 2011: Dubai Islamic Bank ( DIB ) announced today that participants in the bank's ongoing Qiyadee leadership programme have successfully completed the first phase of this 36-month course. The programme has targeted talented UAE nationals who seek to pursue a long-term management career at the bank.

This group of aspiring UAE nationals successfully completed an intensive theoretical programme at Zayed University , and will now commence practical applications at DIB , working alongside the bank's managers in a range of key areas.

In line with its long-term Emiratisation strategy, the Qiyadee programme was introduced in 2006 by DIB , and consists of theoretical and practical courses in the fields of Islamic banking, finance and management.

Students in this second Qiyadee programme are trained in a range of core business and support functions, thus evolving their skills and knowledge to fulfil managerial positions in fields such as retail banking, corporate banking, wealth management, central operations, information technology and risk management.

" Dubai Islamic Bank is committed to supporting the educational attainment of UAE nationals, and to promoting their professional growth through the Qiyadee programme," said Abdulla Al Hamli, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Islamic Bank . "We are very proud of this group of aspiring young professionals for completing their theoretical training at Zayed University , and look forward to welcoming them to Dubai Islamic Bank for the next phase of their training."

Obaid Al Shamsi, Chief of Human Resources, Dubai Islamic Bank , said: "As part of our strategy of investing in human capital, the second Qiyadee programme offers talented young UAE nationals the opportunity to participate in a personalised leadership training programme. Graduates of this three-year programme are uniquely positioned to thrive in their future careers at Dubai Islamic Bank , becoming leaders in the financial services sector and in the community as a whole."

The Qiyadee programme is a key component of DIB 's long-term strategy to meet its ambitious Emiratisation objectives. Currently, 46 per cent of the bank's employees are UAE nationals, an increase of five per cent from 2010. At the branch manager level, DIB has already achieved 100 per cent Emiratisation.

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About Dubai Islamic Bank :
Dubai Islamic Bank ( DIB ), established in 1975, is the first Islamic bank to have incorporated the principles of Islam in all its practices and is the largest Islamic bank in the UAE. DIB is a public joint stock company, and its shares are listed on the Dubai Financial Market. The bank enjoys a reputation as a leader and innovator in maintaining the quality, flexibility and accessibility of its products and services. The bank currently operates 70 branches in the UAE.

DIB has been proactive in creating partnerships and alliances at both the local and international level. The bank has established DIB Pakistan Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary which has a network of 64 branches across 26 major cities in Pakistan. DIB has also started operations in Jordan, with the establishment of Jordan Dubai Islamic Bank

DIB has earned the respect of its peers around the world for many years, and its leading position has been reaffirmed by the 79 local, regional and international accolades that it has won between 2008 and 2010. DIB has won awards across diversified areas, including retail, corporate and investment banking, as well as CSR and consultancy services. The bank's most recent awards include being named "Best Islamic Bank in UAE" for the fifth consecutive year by Islamic Finance News, "Best Islamic Bank" in the UAE for 2010 by NY-based Global Finance magazine, "Best Islamic Bank in the UAE" by Asiamoney magazine, and being named winner of the first-ever pan-Arab emeafinance award for corporate social responsibility.

For further information, please contact:
Liam Turner / Nicholas Nesson
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Dubai, UAE
Tel: 971-4-4507600
Fax: 971-4-4358040
E-mail: l.turner@asdaa.com / n.nesson@asdaa.com

© Press Release 2011