KOC initiates digital Jurassic gas project with private contractor
Kuwait’s oil fields embrace digital transformation
KUWAIT CITY, March 6: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) hosted a prestigious ceremony at its headquarters, graced by prominent guests, CEOs, and representatives from various companies and banks. The event marked the inaugural graduation ceremony for participants of the groundbreaking NBK RISE initiative. This initiative, the first of its kind, is dedicated to empowering and supporting women by equipping them with the essential skills to realize their full leadership capabilities.
Representatives from prominent organizations such as Alshaya Group, Commercial Bank of Kuwait, Burgan Bank, EQUATE Petrochemical Company, and Kuwait Telecommunications Company - STC were among the attendees. These organizations are partners in an agreement sponsored by NBK, aiming to enhance women’s representation in regional and global leadership roles.
Representatives from participating universities in the initiative, such as IE Business School, INSEAD, and Franklin Covey, were also in attendance, alongside 21 program participants.
The event featured NBK’s executive management honoring the participants with inspiring words, success stories, and acknowledgment of their hard work and dedication demonstrated throughout the program.
On the sidelines of the ceremony, the NBK RISE Leadership Exhibition was held, featuring an innovative interactive showcase inspired by the trainees’ projects. It highlighted the varied attributes that women bring to leadership roles and underscored their potential to excel as leaders in various countries, organizations, institutions, and companies.
The exhibition utilized interactive models and inspirational messages to underscore the significant leadership qualities of women and shed light on the gender disparity in leadership positions. It also presented ideas and solutions aimed at bridging this gap.
The initiative, unveiled in 2022 by Mrs. Shaikha Al-Bahar, Deputy Group CEO at National Bank of Kuwait, signifies a stride towards consolidating efforts to empower women to realize their full potential. It reflects the Bank’s belief in the pivotal role of diversity and inclusion as essential elements for ensuring the long-term prosperity of all organizations.
Spanning over a duration of nine months, the program featured training sessions conducted in Kuwait and Spain at prestigious business schools. It encompassed mentorship sessions led by industry experts, networking events, and comprehensive administrative assistance provided by the Bank. Additionally, participants engaged in group projects aimed at refining ideas and proposals.
In her speech at the ceremony, AlBahar remarked, “The success of the NBK RISE program underscores NBK’s commitment to empowering women and fostering their leadership skills. As we celebrate the graduation of the inaugural cohort, this initiative sets the stage for a future where women wield greater influence on shaping the business landscape.”
“As we commemorate the graduation of these remarkable women, we reaffirm our dedication to advancing diversity, equality, and inclusion within leadership roles. The strides made by the program’s graduates signify our shared advancement toward a more inclusive and dynamic future, striving to ensure the presence of female leaders who leave a lasting impact on the growth trajectory of their respective institutions,” Al-Bahar added.
“NBK Rise participants benefited from top-tier training and mentorship provided by industry leaders, exclusive networking opportunities, and their dedicated efforts in undertaking challenging projects poised to significantly influence their careers,” Al-Bahar emphasized.
Al-Bahar also expressed her confidence in the program’s graduates to perpetuate positive change and wield substantial influence in leadership positions in the years ahead. She highlighted that as these graduates embark on their next career endeavors, they not only bring along their acquired skills but also the determination to serve as catalysts, inspiring a trajectory of change.
Al-Bahar extended her gratitude to the program’s organizers, mentors, trainers, and collaborating educational institutions for their collec
KUWAIT CITY, March 6: Sources disclosed to Al-Seyassah that Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) is set to commence the implementation of the technical support services project for the integrated digital Jurassic gas project. It was confirmed that KOC recently awarded the project to a private company at a cost of 26.5 million dinars, with the company securing the contract with the lowest bid after informing the Supreme Purchasing Committee of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation.
More than seven private companies vied for the project, demonstrating keen interest in KOC’s initiatives to digitize its key fields. This move aligns with KOC’s broader strategy to leverage digital transformation projects to reduce costs and enhance operational efficiency. Currently, over 93% of Kuwait’s oil fields have transitioned to smart digital systems, in line with Kuwait Petroleum Corporation’s directives to digitize all oil fields to optimize production.
KOC had previously taken steps to activate
tive efforts in ensuring the success of this groundbreaking initiative. She emphasized that the program has effectively disrupted traditional norms, paving the way for women’s empowerment, and fostering a culture of equality.
Inspiration and Motivation
In a relatively short span, the program has significantly bolstered and advocated for women’s leadership in Kuwait, the region, and globally. By engaging, inspiring, and motivating women across various regions, sectors, and fields of expertise, the program has made substantial strides. Additionally, it aimed to establish a community of women leaders to sustain the initiative’s advancement and evolution in the long term.
The program was a remarkable initiative that went beyond the Bank’s individual efforts. It involved collaboration with several leading institutions in Kuwait, who collectively signed a pledge to enhance the representation of women in leadership positions. This collective commitment underscores their dedication to working together towards the objectives of this global program.
the digital platform for the Jurassic Gas Fields Department, recognizing the significant contributions of digital technologies in streamlining operations and achieving organizational objectives efficiently.
Meanwhile, the Kuwait Gulf Oil Company clarified statements attributed to CEO
The inaugural cohort of the program attained remarkable success. The program will be offered on an annual basis, welcoming new participants from Kuwait and beyond. Efforts will be made to invite participants from diverse sectors and to bolster the advancement of future female leaders within the industry towards higher leadership roles. Graduates of the program will also mentor aspiring female candidates in the future, thus fostering a sustainable cycle for the program’s continuity and impact.
The program was managed by Najla Al-Sager, Head of Talent Management at National Bank of Kuwait, in cooperation with Alia Abou Al-Fath, Head of Corporate Communications at NBK Wealth. Leveraging their expertise in communication and drawing from their extensive professional backgrounds, they spearheaded the development of a distinguished leadership program. Their efforts involved partnering with leading educational institutions and sector experts to train and nurture female candidates for leadership roles.
The program emphasized the importance of diversity in leadership
Khaled Al-Otaibi, noting that the Saudi Arabian Chevron Company operates in the joint Wafra operations, while Aramco Gulf Works Company operates in the Khafji joint operations.
This clarification aims to rectify any unintended misconceptions.
teams, recognizing that diverse perspectives lead to more robust decision-making, foster innovation, and enhance overall performance. Addressing the underrepresentation of women in executive roles, the program aimed to cultivate a more inclusive corporate environment where every individual can thrive and contribute to the organization’s success.
Skill Development
The nine-month program comprised various modules, each tailored to a specific aspect of leadership. These modules were crafted to equip female candidates for senior management roles, imparting essential leadership, strategic, and technical skills. The training units targeted the enhancement of leadership and strategic competencies, effective communication and interpersonal skills, and readiness for assuming top leadership positions within organizations.
Twenty-one participants from diverse professional backgrounds took part in the program. They represented NBK and its international branches and subsidiaries, along with partner organizations. Here’s
an overview of the participants:
10 representatives from NBK Kuwait
6 representatives from NBK’s international branches (Egypt, Paris, Singapore, Bahrain, London, UAE)
5 representatives from other regional companies (Burgan Bank, EQUATE Petrochemical Company, Kuwait Telecommunications Company - STC, Alshaya Group, and Commercial Bank of Kuwait)
Four modules were prepared for the program. Alongside these modules, participants received mentoring and attended training workshops. All participants in the NBK RISE program successfully completed the first two modules, outlined as follows:
The first module, conducted in collaboration with IE Business School, emphasized technical development. Participants delved into various educational topics including key trends, growth strategies, creativity, innovation, and effective decision-making.
The second module, in partnership with Franklin Covey, concentrated on enhancing personal skills and self-discovery of individual strengths through the application of
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the seven habits of highly effective leaders.
The third module, developed in collaboration with INSEAD, focused on leadership skills, effective change management, and addressed barriers hindering women’s progress in leadership.
The program encompassed approximately 64 training hours in total, covering topics such as growth strategies, creativity, innovation, and effective decision-making.
■ The Best Initiative for Women
NBK Rise was awarded the prestigious Best Initiative for Women in Business accolade at the MEED MENA Banking Excellence 2023. This recognition highlights the Bank’s steadfast dedication to women’s empowerment. It not only emphasizes NBK’s commitment but also the joint commitment of various prominent organizations in Kuwait. Through collaboration, these institutions have pledged to enhance the representation of women in leadership roles, showcasing their united dedication to the goals of this worldwide initiative.