Network International sponsors the Fintech Youth Hub at the University of Sharjah

The collaboration aims to hone digital and leadership skills among youth and help them discover meaningful careers in the fintech space, while supporting Network International’s quest to attract and retain high-quality talent graduating from university.

As part of the collaboration, Network International has sponsored the first-ever FiEx Fintech Youth Hub, which brought together high school and university students interested in learning more about fintech from leading industry experts. In addition, in the coming year both partners will explore the launch of training programs, organize career fairs and student competitions, and arrange guest lectures with veterans from the industry.

Speaking about the partnership, Nandan Mer, CEO of Network International, said: “The Middle East fintech market is booming. While we expect this trend to grow over the next few decades, we must also recognize that we are at risk of stunting our growth due to differences in skills and talent. In this context, we are extremely happy to partner with a prestigious educational institution like the American University of Sharjah and believe that to be a leading fintech player, we must work closely with them to inspire and build the next generation of talent. This collaboration is a big step in our journey and we look forward to future-proofing our industry by being a change agent forever.”

Rania Morsi, Interim Executive Director of Advancement and Alumni Affairs at AUS, said: “The collaboration with Network International is in line with our commitment to provide our students with the very best. As a leading university in the UAE, we have a huge talent pool that is passionate about learning and growing. To serve them, we are always looking for ways for them to participate in hands-on learning programs that will help them prepare for the future. Together with the network team, we look forward to equipping the UAE’s future workforce with in-demand digital skills and fintech experience and bridging the talent and skills gap in this era.”

For his part, Hend Al Ali, Group Chief Human Resources Officer at Network International, said: “At Network International, talent development is a key priority. We believe that the youth will dictate the future, especially in fintech. To this end, we are always looking for bright, young minds willing to learn and grow with us. We have several training and internship opportunities that we run, and with this collaboration we are ready to welcome a new cadre of graduates to our organization and hope to be an employer of choice in the long term.”

The collaboration between Network International and AUS signals both partners’ commitment to building a knowledge-based economy and providing access to students studying at AUS to venture into fintech and related disciplines.