Reaffirming its commitment to youth empowerment and sustainable community development

Gulf Bank is committed to equipping youth with the skills required for the future labor market and entrepreneurship - Dari AlBader

As part of its ongoing commitment to youth empowerment and social responsibility, Gulf Bank honored the winners of the “Best Student Company of the Year 2026” award, in the High School Students' category during the closing ceremony organized by INJAZ Kuwait, under the theme “Watan Al Injaz.” The event was attended by sponsors, students, parents, volunteers, and school teachers.

On this occasion, Mr. Dari AlBader, General Manager of Corporate Affairs at Gulf Bank and Board Member of INJAZ Kuwait, said: “We extend our sincere congratulations to the students who won the Best Student Company of the Year 2026 award. We also commend INJAZ Kuwait for its vital role in organizing this annual competition and creating a meaningful platform for young people to learn, innovate, and lead.”

He added: “At Gulf Bank, we take pride in our long-standing partnership with INJAZ Kuwait, which spans more than 20 years. Through this partnership, we have supported numerous youth-led ideas and student companies, some of which have grown to become part of Kuwait’s wider business and entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

AlBader emphasized that Gulf Bank’s support for youth is a core pillar of its corporate social responsibility strategy and its broader sustainability agenda. He noted that empowering young people with practical knowledge, professional skills, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial capabilities directly contributes to building a more resilient and future-ready society. This commitment is also aligned with Gulf Bank’s 2030 Strategy, Kuwait Vision 2035, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on quality education, decent work and economic growth, and partnerships for sustainable development.

He further highlighted that the Company Program has gained strong popularity among ambitious students, as it provides them with a unique hands-on experience in establishing and managing a real student company, with the support and guidance of leading institutions, including Gulf Bank.

AlBader also noted that the successful partnership between Gulf Bank and INJAZ Kuwait has contributed to training thousands of young people during the 2025/2026 academic year, across different educational stages and up to recent graduates. This was achieved through various development programs, including the INJAZ Internship Expo, Company Program, How to Start, INJAZ Talks, field visits, and several workshops.

Gulf Bank volunteers also played a key role in supporting participating students throughout INJAZ Kuwait’s programs this year. Their contribution included career guidance, mentoring student groups, supporting participants in the Company Program, and sharing practical experience to help students strengthen their leadership and business skills. In addition, Mr. Mubarak Al Enezi, Senior Manage,Talent Acquisition in Gulf Bank’s Human Resources Department, participated as a member of the competition’s judging panel.

The Company Program teaches high school and university students the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and business creation. It equips them with leadership, management, and financial literacy skills, while giving them the opportunity to establish and operate a student company. Participants go through the full journey of building a business, starting from developing a business plan and feasibility study, forming a team, and raising capital, to creating and selling a product or service. The program concludes with an annual local competition that evaluates the participating student companies.