EIBFS Annual HR Forum Highlights the Need for Learning Resilience in a Disruptive World

Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies (EIBFS), a regional leader in banking and finance education and training, hosted its annual HR Forum to discuss the effects of the pandemic on learning and the new normal in learning and development.

Held under the theme ‘Learning Resilience in the Disruptive World’, the event convened over 80 participants from leading UAE banks and was headlined by Simon Culhane, the CEO of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment in the UK, who explained ow HR and L&D departments thought outside the box and adapted to a new learning approach during the first few months of the pandemic. Culhane emphasized on the importance of exploring new learning mediums, improved certification courses and offering bite-sized learning options—allowing users to choose modules that they are most interested in.

During the session, Culhane also spoke about the importance of staying relevant in the digital age by providing curated content and embedding gamification to increase engagement, stimulation and hold people’s attention over a longer period. Another key trend highlighted during the forum is the flipped or blended learning approach, where theoretical, technical learning takes place online and face to face learning becomes more structured and centered around softer skills such as communications.

Speaking on the session, Jamal Al Jassmi, General Manager of EIBFS, said: “At EIBFS, we strive to realize the UAE government’s vision to build a knowledge-based economy by providing top-notch training to Emiratis in the banking sector. In creating our 2021 plan, we’ve taken into account the existing economic conditions brought about by the pandemic, the latest learning tools available as well as the needs of our students. As we progress through 2021, we will continue to work with banks and financial institutions and utilize artificial intelligence and other leading technology to adopt a blending learning approach and create a strong workforce for the future.”

At the Forum, EIBFS also showcased its 2021 Annual Training Plan. In response to the Covid 19 pandemic and the changing needs of the banking sector, the new training plan will focus on big data, analytics and gamification to offer a blended learning approach. The 2021 plans complement the EIBFS Insight platform launched earlier this year. The online learning platform currently offers 100 courses and is expected to house up to 150 specialized courses by the end of 2021.

The HR Forum by EIBFS is an annual event that brings to light the latest innovations as well as the existing in the banking sector intending to find actionable solutions. With the industry increasingly leaning towards digitization, in response to the pandemic, the need to build capacity and further educate professionals has been more important than ever. The forum also highlights the various initiatives and steps taken by EIBFS and banks to better equip professionals to support their growth in the industry.