MKF Holds Workshops for Students to Enhance Their Academic and Practical Skills

Manama, 21 June /BNA/ AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation (MKF) recently held a two-day series of workshops for students of the "Ithra Youth" programme, in cooperation with Standard Chartered Bank and Amina Al Abbasi, founder of the "Amina Gallery" project. The workshops form part of a series of programmes offered by the foundation to bring out a range of positive qualities in the participating students and to enhance their academic and practical skills in a manner that serves the community at large and the labour market in particular.

Standard Chartered Bank hosted the 25 male and female students who took part in the workshop it had prepared. Through the session, the students learned about the concept of financial literacy, how to manage and safeguard money, and borrowing mechanisms as a means of securing capital. They were then introduced to the bank's departments, functions and working methods, with volunteers from the bank leading the workshops, thereby giving the students the opportunity to learn directly from experienced professionals.

It is worth noting that Standard Chartered Bank launched its "Financial Literacy" initiative and programme in 2014 with the aim of raising awareness within the community, particularly among school students, of the importance of financial awareness in preparing them for the future and the demands of life, and in using money properly. The programme forms part of the bank's sustainability agenda and its efforts to provide financial knowledge for the long-term public benefit.

Amina Al Abbasi also hosted a group of students and spoke about her relationship with drawing, which had been a hobby and a dream for her since childhood, and about her efforts and perseverance in making the most of her talent, turning art into an innovation and a private business venture, and generating income from it. As part of the workshop, Al Abbasi delivered practical training entitled "Turning Your Passion into a Successful Business", during which she offered technical advice to help participants acquire the skills needed to do so.

This participation reflects the keenness of AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation to review the practical applications and training the students received during the second edition of the "Ithra Youth" programme, which concluded last April at a ceremony held under the gracious patronage of Her Highness Shaikha Zain bint Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation. The ceremony honoured 200 male and female intermediate-stage students from government schools who had taken part in the programme's events and activities, which began last February.

AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation extended its thanks to Standard Chartered Bank and Amina Al Abbasi for hosting the participating students, and expressed its hope for further cooperation with other institutions in its future programmes.