MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)
UAE national Hajer Alhashemi once found the regulatory side of banking “overwhelming” but the Ethraa programme changed that.
Alhashemi was among the latest cohort to graduate from the Ethraa Financial Programme, a national initiative designed to develop the skills of Emirati talent entering the banking and financial services sector.
“Ethraa completely bridged the gap between university and the actual banking world,” Alhashemi said during the graduation ceremony held at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. “The programme gave me that big-picture understanding of how banks actually run.”
Launched to accelerate Emiratisation in the financial sector, Ethraa combines academic learning with hands-on industry training across banking operations, governance, risk management, compliance, and emerging financial technologies. It equips graduates not just with technical knowledge, but with the strategic mindset to apply it.
Alhashemi said the programme deepened her understanding of IT governance and risk-related functions, helping her see how technology and compliance operate together within financial institutions.
Another graduate, Baraka Alhameri, described the ceremony as a launchpad of her professional journey. “My goal now is to dive into my career, keep growing, and use everything I learned. Long-term, I want to step into a leadership role and help shape the future of tech-banking in the UAE.”
Alhameri said the programme’s leadership-focused tracks and professional certifications sharpened her strategic thinking and prepared her for a career in tech-driven banking environments.
Shamma Alobthani, who is also part of the cohort, emphasised the programme’s role in shaping her ambitions and future direction. “My ambition is to keep learning, advance my career, and contribute to the success of the financial sector and the UAE’s vision for the future.”