Official launch of the 13th batch of the Kuwaiti Graduates Development Program (KGDP)

Kuwait, November 23, 2025:

The Institute of Banking Studies (IBS), under the “Kafaa” initiative launched by the Central Bank of Kuwait in collaboration with Kuwaiti banks, announced the official launch of the 13th batch of the Kuwaiti Graduates Development Program (KGDP) — a specialized training program designed to qualify newly graduated Kuwaitis to work in the banking sector. The inauguration took place, Sunday, November 23, 2025, at the Institute’s headquarters, marking the beginning of the training phase.

Ms. Rana Abdullah Al-Nibari, Director General of the Institute of Banking Studies, stated that the new edition of the program represents a qualitative and transformational leap, as it has undergone a comprehensive redesign and restructuring to align more precisely with the evolving requirements of the Kuwaiti banking sector. This ensures the program’s effectiveness and enhances participants’ competitiveness in the job market.

Al-Nibari highlighted that the key developments in this year’s edition focus on strengthening the practical and professional aspects of the program through a set of modern and innovative tools, including:
• Hackathon programs.
• Mentorship and professional coaching.
• Intensive on-the-job training within local banks.
• An applied graduation project.

She also confirmed that the Institute has collaborated with several prestigious international organizations for the accreditation and validation of the program, including: Chartered Banker Institute – UK, The Experience Accelerator – Switzerland, Six Seconds – USA, and Pause – Oman.
This collaboration reflects the Institute’s commitment to building national competencies capable of supporting Kuwait’s ongoing economic development.

Ms. Al-Nibari further emphasized that the program’s ultimate goal is to ensure the employment of qualified national talents in local banks upon successful completion of all its stages. To achieve this, the program consists of three main phases:

1. The Qualification Phase, which provides comprehensive training to develop graduates’ essential skills in employability, self-leadership, and banking operations.
2. The Empowerment Phase, which includes advanced specialized and practical training within local banks, supported by individualized mentoring from industry experts.
3. The Employment Phase, marking the successful culmination of the program as participants transition into actual banking roles.

In conclusion, Ms. Al-Nibari expressed her sincere gratitude to H.E. Mr. Basel A. Al-Haroon, Governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait and Chairman of the IBS Board of Directors, and to all Board Members for their continuous support. She also extended special thanks to the Human Resources Directors of local banks for their valuable collaboration in ensuring the success of this development initiative.