Kuwait, November 5, 2024: Kuwait International Bank (KIB) proudly announces the launch of the H.I Innovation Program in collaboration with Visa and five prestigious universities in Kuwait. The H.I Innovation program is a unique six-week initiative designed to bridge the gap between academia and the business world where teams from the five participating universities would get to solve real-world challenges. This program aims to empower university students by giving them the opportunity to tackle real-life problems faced by the banking sector today, providing a unique prospect to develop practical skills and gain valuable industry experiences.

In collaboration with Visa – a global leader in digital payments, and SIA Partners – a renowned global management consulting and Innovation firm, KIB's H.I Innovation Program will enable students from our partner universities across Kuwait to participate in this journey of innovation and growth. Participating universities include Australian University, American University of Kuwait, Gulf University for Science & Technology, Kuwait College of Science & Technology and College of Business Administration – Kuwait University, all of which have signed Memorandums of Understanding with KIB to engage their brightest minds in this groundbreaking program.

The H.I Program will span over a period of six weeks, during which students will work closely with innovation coaches and mentors from SIA Partners to develop innovative solutions to pressing business problems. Visa will support the program by extending their subject matter expertise in various domains through bringing in key note speakers which will offer guidance, support, and practical insights, allowing students to learn from industry experts while crafting actionable solutions. The program will culminate in a final presentation where students will showcase their solutions to a panel of judges, including representatives from KIB and SIA Partners.

“This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to nurturing young talent and fostering a culture of innovation within the community,” said Mohamed Atef Elshareef, General Manager of the Digital Innovation and Data Intelligence Department at KIB. “By partnering with leading organizations like SIA Partners and Visa, we are providing students with a real opportunity to step into the business world and make a tangible impact.”

Visa’s collaboration with KIB reflects its dedication to supporting capacity building and educational and growth programs that prepare youth and students for future success in a rapidly evolving payments and fintech landscape. Commenting on the H.I Innovation program, Mohamed Reyad, Visa's Country Manager for Kuwait, said, “The H.I Innovation Program with our partners KIB and SIA is a great platform to help empower Kuwait’s next generation of innovators, ensuring they can thrive in the fast-evolving digital economy and are well-prepared for the future. This aligns perfectly with Visa's purpose to uplift everyone, everywhere as well as supports the Kuwait government’s efforts to promote digital literacy and modernize the country’s payments and financial ecosystem.”

From their side, SIA Partners joins efforts with KIB to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Kuwait. From defining the innovation intent or purpose, to facilitating the generation of new solutions for the Bank, SIA Partners is committed to enabling open innovation that will strengthen KIB’s future business results. 'The H.I Innovation Program demonstrates how bringing together a wide ecosystem of partners and entrepreneurs can drive innovation and add value to the market. By engaging the youth, we are leveraging the latest trends and future customer behaviors to shape up new solutions that will build the foundation for long term success,' said Roberto Wyszkowski, Partner at SIA Partners as well as Growth & Innovation Global Team Leader.

The H.I Program not only gives students a chance to apply their academic knowledge to real business scenarios but also opens doors to future career opportunities by equipping them with skills that are in high demand in today’s job market. It is a rare opportunity for participants to make meaningful contributions while still in university, gaining a competitive edge in their careers.