IFF, Arab Bank Switzerland sign MOU to upskill employees on Web3, digital assets, blockchain

The Institute for the Future (IFF) at the University of Nicosia (UNIC) announces the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Arab Bank (Switzerland) Ltd (ABS).

Under this MOU, UNIC will offer all bank employees access to its online MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency, MSc in Metaverse, and Blockchain Academic Certification programs. Additionally, UNIC, via IFF, will develop and offer tailor-made online and conventional professional training programmes specifically for Arab Bank Switzerland’s employees.

These programmes will be customised to meet the bank’s specific needs and developed in close collaboration between the parties, allowing ABS to further strengthen its leadership in the fields of digital assets and advance its employee knowledge in the rapidly-evolving space of blockchain, and Web3.

Arab Bank Switzerland has already made UNIC’s “MOOC on Mastering Web3” a mandatory certification for its employees. Since Spring 2024, nearly 200 employees from the bank have already enrolled in this programme, reflecting the importance of digital currency education within the banking sector and the bank’s commitment to its employee lifelong learning.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Arab Bank Switzerland in this significant initiative. This partnership is a testament to the growing recognition of blockchain and digital currency as essential components of the financial sector,” said IFF Business Development and Enrolment Manager Hazal Aripinar. “We are proud to provide the educational resources that will empower banking professionals to navigate and lead in this dynamic environment.”

On behalf of Arab Bank Switzerland, Managing Director Rani Jabban, also hailed the partnership. “In a constantly evolving digital finance landscape, we need to stay ahead by further equipping our employees with the necessary tools that will allow them to build the future of our field. This MOU with UNIC’s IFF reflects this exact commitment,” he said.

The partnership also includes the organisation of various events, such as webinars, conferences and educational workshops, which will be designed and conducted by UNIC’s IFF exclusively for the employees of the bank.

About IFF/UNIC

The Institute For the Future (IFF) is a leading global provider of education and research in blockchain, digital assets, and Web3. As an interdisciplinary research centre at the University of Nicosia (UNIC), it aims to advance emerging technologies and contribute to their effective application in industry, government and education. IFF also evaluates the impact of these technologies on employment, wealth inequality and society at large. Its mission is to educate leaders, develop knowledge and build communities to help society prepare for a future shaped by transformative technologies.

UNIC|IFF operates the world’s first academic programmes in digital assets and metaverse, namely the MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency and MSc in Metaverse, including its free flagship online course on Mastering Web3 which has been attended by over 145,000 people from more than 120 countries since 2014 and was recently revamped.

About Arab Bank (Switzerland) Ltd.

Arab Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. was created in Switzerland in 1962, aiming to create a bridge between the Middle East and the West. The bank has become a trusted partner for high net worth individuals, including business leaders and family entrepreneurs in the MENA region for over 60 years. Arab Bank Switzerland is the independent, sister company of Arab Bank Plc, one of the biggest banks in the Middle East.

For more information, please visit: www.arabbank.ch .