KUWAIT CITY, Jan 23: The Governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Institute of Banking Studies (IBS), Basel Al-Haroun, announced that the 16th session of the Harvard Business School's program for developing executive leadership in Gulf banks and financial institutions will take place from April 12 to 17.

In a press statement on Wednesday, Al-Haroun explained that this year's program is titled "Strategic Leadership in the Era of Financial Sustainability" and will focus on two main areas: "Financial Strategy" and "Leadership." He highlighted that the program will emphasize the crucial role of leadership and management in responding quickly and effectively to the rapid changes occurring in the financial industry. It will also provide participants with a deeper understanding of the importance of effective strategic leadership.

The program will incorporate practical case studies related to both the banking and financial sectors, as well as other industries, reflecting the reputation of the program for offering integrated, hands-on experiences. This will help enhance participants' analytical abilities and provide them with tools and methods that positively impact their performance, innovation, and institutional culture.

Al-Haroun further explained that the program targets executives at the department director level or equivalent. Over the six-day course, participants will receive a certificate of attendance from Harvard Business School.

He pointed out that the program is part of the Efficiency Initiative launched by the Central Bank in cooperation with local Kuwaiti banks and supervised by the Institute of Banking Studies. The initiative aims to develop human resources and executive leadership across various sectors, with a particular focus on the banking and financial sectors.

Al-Haroun also noted that cooperation with Harvard College began in 2009, with the program first presented in Kuwait in 2010. This is the first specialized program offered by the college to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. He praised the ongoing, fruitful collaboration between Harvard and the Institute of Banking Studies.

Emphasizing the importance of continuing to develop the performance of national cadres, Al-Haroun stated that this remains a top priority for the Central Bank, given the critical role these individuals play in achieving sustainable development in the banking and financial sector. He also stressed the importance of continued cooperation between Kuwaiti and Gulf banks and financial institutions, with efforts aimed at creating new initiatives to maximize the benefits of such training programs and the exchange of expertise.