Al Baraka Bank Egypt hosts interactive seminar for CEMS-MIM students

Al Baraka Bank Egypt, in collaboration with the Onsi Sawiris School of Business at the American University in Cairo (AUC), hosted an intensive, interactive seminar for students enrolled in the CEMS Master’s in International Management (CEMS MIM) as part of the programme’s introductory Block Seminar.

Held at the bank’s headquarters in New Cairo, the seminar brought together 21 students, including five international participants, alongside faculty members and professors from the Onsi Sawiris School of Business.

The seminar reflects Al Baraka Bank Egypt’s commitment to strengthening collaboration between the banking sector and academic institutions while contributing to the development of young talent.

This aligns with the Bank’s vision of delivering a banking model that combines banking expertise with innovation, with a strong focus on evolving customer needs and sustainable development.

The seminar was led by Wassim El-Metwally, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer and PMO Director at Al Baraka Bank Egypt.

The session covered a range of topics related to the future of the financial sector, including Islamic banking, digital transformation in financial services, corporate social responsibility, and sustainable finance.

The seminar provided students with practical insights into banking practices and strategic decision-making, while enabling direct engagement with banking professionals and discussions around local and global industry trends.

Commenting on the occasion, Hazem Hegazy, CEO and Vice Chairman of Al Baraka Bank Egypt, said, "Education is one of the key areas that we place significant emphasis on at Al Baraka Bank Egypt, driven by our belief in its vital role in building capabilities and supporting sustainable development."

"We also recognise the importance of fostering stronger connections between the banking sector and academic institutions, providing students with an opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the real challenges and opportunities facing the financial services industry," he added.

"Hosting CEMS-MIM students represents an important opportunity to raise awareness of Islamic banking and the banking sector in general as well as the role of innovation and sustainability in advancing financial services and supporting community development,” Hegazy said.

Boasting an unrivalled reputation as the top private business school in Egypt and one of the best in Africa and the Arab world, Onsi Sawiris School of Business at the American University in Cairo is dedicated to realising a positive human impact that is scalable and sustainable.

For more than seven decades, the school has been committed to shaping the business leaders, entrepreneurs, and changing agents of tomorrow by harnessing leadership, integrity, ambition, and excellence.

Among the school’s pre-eminent accomplishments is its Triple Crown accreditation – a seal of excellence placing the school among the top one per cent of educational institutions worldwide.

The CEMS MIM programme, established in 1988, is an internationally recognised management programme that brings together leading schools and universities from around the world, alongside a global network of corporate and social partners.

It’s worth noting that Al Baraka Bank Egypt is one of Egypt’s leading Islamic banks and a member of Al Baraka Banking Group, which operates across 13 countries.

Established in the Egyptian market in 1980, the bank currently operates a network of 45 branches and provides Sharia-compliant banking solutions to individuals, corporates, and institutions, with a strong focus on digital transformation, innovation, and sustainability. The Bank also supports strategic projects and community initiatives, contributing to financial inclusion and economic development in Egypt.