Al-Sabah pointed out that the program is one of the strategic developmental projects the banking sector is pursuing, led by the Central Bank of Kuwait, organized by the IBS and financed by the IBS member banks - Central Bank of Kuwait, National Bank of Kuwait, Gulf Bank, Commercial Bank of Kuwait, Burgan Bank, Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait, Ahli United Bank, Kuwait International Bank, Industrial Bank of Kuwait and Boubyan Bank.
The program, said the governor, aims to upgrade the skills of the GCC national work force, of which executives comprise the key component. He mentioned that the program was conducted for the first time in 2010 as an exclusive event for the Kuwaiti banks. After the tremendous success of that first program, several GCC banking institutes showed keen interest in a repeat event. With the Harvard Business School showing interest in a GCC level event, the second program was conducted in 2011 addressed to the GCC banking and financial sectors. That program was held in Dubai. Banks who sponsored participants to the program included National Bank of Fujairah, Qatar Central Bank, Central Bank of Oman, Bank Muscat, Al-Rajhi Bank, Banque Saudi Fransi, the Kuwait Finance House and banks who are members in the Kuwait Institute of Banking. The 2012 program will be held in Doha, Qatar. The plan is to move the venue every year to one of the GCC capitals.
Al-Sabah pointed out that communication with Harvard Business School started in 2009 to organize the school's first custom program in the GCC region. He affirmed that the Harvard Business School is very selective in conducting custom programs, especially those beyond its campus in Boston, US. The school's desire to continue to work with IBS, Kuwait on these projects reflects how satisfied the school is with this collaboration.
Considering the design of the first and second programs proved to be extremely successful, this year's program, Al-Sabah explained, will have a similar design. The program title "Managing Strategically, Leading for Results" captures the program two integrated themes: "Strategic Management" and "Leadership". The program will be held during March 3-8, 2012 for six consecutive days. It is aimed at upper middle executives of levels such as department heads.
He affirmed that executive education programs held by Harvard Business School in the GCC region adhere to the School's high standards thus ensuring that participants and their banks will be provided with the same quality of learning experience for which the school is so well known. At the end of the program, participants will receive a Harvard Business School certificate, verifying that they have completed the program. He elaborated that the world-famous Harvard Business School case studies will be the main learning tool in the program; these case studies are written by the school's faculty and are used in numerous universities and executive development centers. Besides selecting banking and finance cases, the faculty have also chosen some that focus on other industries to diversify participants' learning experience.
Al-Sabah stressed that executive development will remain a strategic priority considering the role of executives in developing their organizations. He went on to explain that collaboration amongst the GCC countries in areas of common interest such as training and development has always been and will remain an item of top priority. He expressed his gratitude for GCC central banks governors and banking and finance institutes for supporting the Harvard Business School programs.
