10^th November 2025, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain | The General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions (CIBAFI) and Ivey Business School at Western University, Canada, have launched the 10^th joint Executive Programme, titled “Leading AI Transformation in Banking: From Strategy to Execution.”

This milestone edition marks a decade of collaboration between the two institutions and reaffirms their shared commitment to advancing executive education and leadership excellence within the Islamic financial services industry (IFSI).

This year’s theme highlights the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in driving digital transformation and innovation in banking. The programme equips senior executives with the tools and frameworks to apply AI effectively from improving risk management and decision-making to enhancing operational efficiency and customer experience. It also emphasizes responsible leadership and Shariah-aligned innovation, ensuring that technology serves as a catalyst for ethical and sustainable growth.

On this occasion, Mr. Hamza K. Bawazir, Secretary General of CIBAFI, commented: “This programme reflects CIBAFI’s ongoing commitment to empowering leaders with the skills and vision to navigate an evolving financial landscape. Over the past decade, our partnership with Ivey Business School has created a world-class learning platform that integrates global best practices with Islamic finance principles. Together, we continue to shape a new generation of leaders ready to drive responsible and value-based innovation.”

The opening session was inaugurated by Ms. Zainab Al Owainaty, Director of Administration and Finance at CIBAFI, who delivered the welcoming address. Ms.Al Owainaty stated: “Our decade-long collaboration with Ivey Business School demonstrates how shared vision and expertise can advance leadership and innovation across the financial sector. This milestone also aligns with CIBAFI’s broader initiatives, such as the launch of our Global Islamic Bankers’ Survey on AI and Data Analytics and our recent report ‘The Digital Momentum.’ Through these efforts, we continue to empower leaders with the insight, integrity, and agility to drive the future of Islamic finance.”

“Reaching the tenth edition of this program is a testament to our shared belief in developing leaders who can shape the future of finance,” said Mr. Bryan Benjamin, Executive Director of Ivey Executive Education. “As AI continues to redefine how we work and serve our communities, Ivey and CIBAFI remain committed to building leadership capacity that drives innovation with integrity.”

CIBAFI and Ivey Business School reaffirm their commitment to developing Islamic finance leadership and advancing the programme’s evolution to address future challenges.