ADGM Academy (ADGMA), is the educational branch of Abu Dhabi Global Market. The Academy played an important role in this year's Abu Dhabi Finance Week through its hosting of the Future of Talent Summit, a venture aligned with ADGM Academy's vision for the future of the workforce. During the event, seven major Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with leading organizations, such as the Abu Dhabi Youth Business Council (ADYBC), a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Other notable partnerships included alliances with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Ray Dalio, Sandooq Al Watan, Standard Chartered, Visa, and the Wealth Management Institute (WMI).
One of the major highlights was the launch of the School of Wealth & Asset Management, in collaboration with the Wealth Management Institute (WMI) and Ray Dalio, marking a significant milestone for ADGM Academy. The Future of Talent Summit provided a platform for discussing how individuals can develop skills and leadership traits that can help them succeed in this rapidly changing financial sector. The event gathered world experts, industry leaders, and emerging innovators to discuss the evolution of human capital in the finance industry.
Keynote addresses and panel discussions explored topics such as bridging skill gaps, fostering innovation, and driving economic growth through the integration of technology and leadership development. During the event, Ray Dalio, Dalio, Founder, Bridgewater Associates / Founder, Dalio Family Office, participated in a fireside chat and highlighted the importance of ‘Cultivating World Class Talent’. Another panel discussion with panellists from Brevan Howard, Multiply, and AlFardan discussed ‘Building a Career In Abu Dhabi's Financial Industry’. Representatives from leading educational institutions such as the Sorbonne University, NYU and MBZUAI were also part of this compelling event, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming a global hub for talent and innovation in financial services.
On the sidelines of the Summit, ADGM Academy formalised a collaboration with Visa that focuses on fintech innovation, research, and curated training programs, while the MoU with Sandooq Al Watan emphasises capacity building for Emiratis, particularly through initiatives supporting entrepreneurship and SME mentorship. The MoU with Standard Chartered aims to advance joint research and governance in artificial intelligence within financial services, while the agreement with WMI introduces globally leading asset and wealth management education programmes to the UAE. The MoU with Ray Dalio establishes a framework for thought leadership and training initiatives, leveraging Dalio’s extensive expertise to advance professional development in the region. The partnership with ADYBC focuses on building a strategic partnership to develop the professional skills of young entrepreneurs, and exchange knowledge through designed mentorship programs.
Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the ADGM Academy Board of Directors, said: "The Future of Talent Summit represents a prominent platform for meaningful dialogue and discussion, serving as a catalyst for impactful and effective action. Through such initiatives and strategic partnerships, ADGM Academy continues to play its leading role in bridging the skills and knowledge gap in alignment with the sector’s demands and aspirations. These efforts aim to develop an exceptional pool of talent capable of keeping pace with future trends, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s commitment to proactive planning and investing in human capital by providing the latest market-driven programmes, skills, and tools that contribute to building a sustainable knowledge-based economy".
Al Mazrouei added: "By hosting the Future of Talent Summit and launching strategic partnerships, we aim to deliver the best programmes and professional practices that strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global hub for innovation, education, and talent acquisition. These efforts align with the emirate’s long-term economic vision and reaffirm its commitment to building a resilient and sustainable financial ecosystem that fosters prosperity and development".
