A senior management delegation from Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) recently participated in a high-profile educational programme at the BAI Graduate School of Retail Banking at the University of Wisconsin in the United States.

The programme is aimed at enhancing the skills of top bank managers to assist them in reaching their full leadership potential. The focus of the programme is broadening participant’s knowledge of the key drivers of profitability in the retail banking area. The programme is delivered by a distinguished faculty of university professors, financial services executives and management consultants.

Taha Noman, Head of Human Resources, DIB, said: “This unique opportunity allows our top managers to further understand the drivers of the retail banking business and gain invaluable management insights into the sector. This initiative reflects DIB’s vision to assist its top managers to make a mark for themselves in retail banking and to develop into senior management leaders.”

“DIB is taking part in this unique programme to help its senior managers in developing and implementing effective and actionable retail business plans. In addition, the programme will allow DIB’s managers to optimise decisions on branch, channel, product and management issues,” he added.

He concluded: “The programme will improve financial performance through the development of rigorous standards to produce stronger bottom-line results. It also helps to create appropriate alternate delivery channel strategies to maximse the organisation's opportunities for sales, customer service and account management.”

Participants come from a wide range of financial institutions from across the world. Some self-select this program as they plan for career advancement, while others are hand picked by senior management. Participants in the programme come from various areas of responsibility, including branch, sales and marketing, call centre, branch operations and retail distribution.

The executive education programme at the BAI Graduate School of Retail Banking at the University of Wisconsin was held from July 21-July 27, 2007.

Mohammed Fahim, Vice President, Head of Abu Dhabi Area, DIB, Mohammed Rakan, Vice President, Head of Al Ain Area, DIB, Rashid Mahjoub, Vice President, Head of Sharjah Area, DIB, and Nabil Abdul Razak, Assistant Vice President, Head of Wealth Management department, DIB, were among the participants in the programme.