Ajman University, DIB Join Hands to Empower Emirati Youth

Photo: WAM

Ajman University (AU), one of the well-known universities in the UAE, has made an important agreement with Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB)—the world’s first Islamic bank and the largest in the UAE. This partnership is designed to help Emirati students prepare for their careers, giving them the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they need to succeed in today’s fast-changing job market.

The official agreement, known as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), was signed by Dr. Karim Seghir, who is the chancellor (top leader) of Ajman University, and Rafia Al Abbar, who is the senior vice president and head of human resources at Dubai Islamic Bank.

This MoU shows that both AU and DIB are committed to helping young Emiratis become successful professionals. Their shared goal is to give students real-life experiences, build their confidence, and help them grow into strong leaders—especially in the field of Islamic banking and finance.

How This Agreement Will Help Students

As part of this agreement, Dubai Islamic Bank will provide internships and job opportunities to students who graduate from Ajman University. This means that Emirati students will have the chance to work directly with the bank, learn from experts, and understand how the banking world works from the inside.

Internships are very important because they let students take what they learn in classrooms and apply it to real-life situations. By working at DIB, students will see how Islamic banking works in practice. They will learn about customer service, banking rules, finance, and how to solve everyday problems in a workplace.

But it doesn’t stop there.

DIB will also welcome students from AU to its offices for special learning experiences, like

• Workshops where bank experts explain different parts of the banking business

• Site visits where students can see the bank’s operations

• Mentorship programs where senior executives guide students, give them advice, and help them grow professionally

These experiences will help students understand what employers expect from them and how they can improve their skills.

Working Together for a Stronger Future

Dubai Islamic Bank will also take part in other programs organized by Ajman University, including career development events, student training, and educational discussions. This means DIB will not just offer jobs but also play a bigger role in shaping students’ careers from the beginning.

On the other hand, Ajman University will also support DIB. The university will offer special educational benefits to DIB employees and their family members. This includes:

• Access to exclusive workshops

• Training sessions focused on building leadership skills

• Courses aimed at improving professional knowledge and abilities

These educational programs are designed to help people already working at the bank to keep growing and learning throughout their careers.

This exchange of benefits—students getting experience and DIB employees getting education—creates a strong partnership that helps everyone involved.

AU's Mission: More Than Just Education

Dr. Karim Seghir, Chancellor of Ajman University, explained that this partnership fits perfectly with the university’s bigger mission. He said that AU is not just about good education. The real goal is to prepare students to be successful people who make a difference in the world.

Dr. Seghir also said that this partnership will help connect classroom learning with the real world. By working together with Dubai Islamic Bank, students will gain knowledge from books and learn how to use that knowledge in their jobs and communities. He believes this kind of collaboration is very important for students’ personal and professional development.

DIB's Commitment to Emirati Talent

Speaking about the new agreement, Rafia Al Abbar from Dubai Islamic Bank said that this partnership shows DIB’s strong belief in supporting young Emirati talent. She said the bank wants to help build the next generation of leaders in Islamic banking.

By offering students hands-on training, mentorship, and a clear career path, DIB wants to reduce the gap between what students learn in school and what the real job world expects from them. This is often a big challenge for many young people—they leave university with a degree but don’t always know how to use it in a job.

Rafia Al Abbar also said that DIB is proud to help young people become confident, skilled, and well-prepared for their future roles in society and the economy.

She mentioned that this partnership is part of DIB’s larger plan to support the UAE’s national goals, especially the goal of building a smart, competitive, and knowledge-based economy where local talent plays a big role in development.

Why This Matters

This agreement between Ajman University and Dubai Islamic Bank is not just about jobs or education—it is about building a stronger future for young Emiratis and for the country as a whole.

Here’s why it matters:

• It gives real opportunities to students, not just theory.

• It helps students understand the workplace before they officially enter it.

• It builds connections between education and industry.

• It shows the private sector (like banks) and educational institutions working together for national growth.

• It offers continuous learning even for people who are already working.

• It supports the UAE’s national vision of developing its people and economy.

When universities and companies work closely like this, students benefit from more than just a degree—they get direction, mentorship, and a head start in their careers.

In today’s competitive world, just having a university degree is not always enough. Students need practical experience, confidence, and workplace skills to succeed. That’s why partnerships like this one between Ajman University and Dubai Islamic Bank are so important.

They create a bridge between what students learn in classrooms and what they will face in the real world. They help students make better career choices and build a strong foundation for their future.

At the same time, companies like DIB also benefit because they get to work with fresh talent who are ready to learn, grow, and contribute.

With more such partnerships, the UAE can continue building a bright, youth-driven future.