Gulf International Bank launches ‘Women in Tech’ Program Supporting Saudi Women

In collaboration with Effat University in Jeddah, Gulf International Bank is pleased to announce the launch of the “Women in Tech” training program supporting Saudi women. Effat University is a private, non-profit educational institution offering higher education to Saudi women and operates under the umbrella of the King Faisal Foundation.

“Women in Tech” is designed to enable Saudi women and girls to develop their workplace skills by offering courses in computer science and professional development. This program will also create a strong base of female cadres with practical work skills, as well as skills in the field of Information Technology, helping them engage in multiple career paths that provide them with more training opportunities.  

Dr. Haifa Reda Jamal Allail President of Effat University, commented on the occasion, saying, “Effat University is proud to collaborate with Gulf International Bank in providing the necessary training for women who may not otherwise have the means to learn and acquire the skills required in today’s job market. Effat University has always sought to empower, support and equip women to develop and excel in their life and society.” 

Mr. Mishary Al Eteiby, Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Regional Manager of Gulf International Bank in Saudi Arabia, also commented, saying, “We are very happy to collaborate with Effat University; working together to empower Saudi women in the field of education. I welcome the first group of ‘Women in Tech’ students and I trust that this program will serve the Kingdom’s vision in continuing its campaign to develop women’s education.”

The 10-week long program consists of two main sections, the first of which discusses the fundamentals of computer applications and basic business skills. The technical side of the program includes preliminary courses concerned with basic computer use, as well as the use of different operating systems, Microsoft office, the Internet, and e-mail. He second is the work skills section, which aims to provide basic business skills, such as communication, decision-making, resume writing and interview skills. Trainees will attend the full duration of the course at Effat University and will receive a certificate upon successful completion.   

“We are thrilled to inaugurate this program, which aims to support women in Saudi Arabia by instilling basic business skills. Women constitute an important part of the Saudi workforce and play a key role in shaping the Kingdom’s future, so Gulf International Bank is proud to be part of this initiative,” said His Excellency Mr. Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Helisi, CEO of Gulf International Bank.

According to the agreement with Gulf International Bank, Effat University will choose and evaluate qualified candidates for the program, deliver the training program and present candidates with certificates upon completion.   

The Gulf International Bank CSR program, ‘Wajeb’ is committed to empowering local communities where the bank operates, which is done through a number of sustainable development programs and local initiatives. The ‘Wajeb’ program also focuses on issues that will yield positive, long term results in the field of developing youth career paths, as well as women’s empowerment, economic development and environmental and health awareness.   

Gulf International Bank is owned by the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, with the Saudi Public Investment Fund as its main shareholder.

As the Gulf’s comprehensive services bank, Gulf International Bank helps clients develop their businesses by collaborating with them to achieve their ambitions. The bank aims to become a preferred partner in providing financial services by offering customized banking solutions to a wide base of customers both in the region and outside of it. This includes banking services for companies, asset management, debt, equities, capital market services, financial advisory services, mergers and acquisitions, and the world’s first Shariah-compliant online banking services provided through ‘M’ banking. 

In addition to its two main subsidiaries, which are Gulf International Bank (UK) Ltd. and GIB Capital Ltd. based in Riyadh, Gulf International Bank has branches in London, New York, Abu Dhabi, Dhahran, Riyadh and Jeddah, as well as a representative office in Dubai.