MUSCAT : As part of its commitment to raising career awareness among young generations and introducing them to the diverse opportunities within the banking environment, Bank Muscat, the leading financial services provider in the Sultanate of Oman, organized the second edition of Future Banker Day Event at Al Bahja Branch in Sohar, North Al Batinah Governorate. The event brought together a group of the employees’ children aged between 13 till 18 years. The second edition followed the success of the inaugural event, which was recently held at the Bank’s Head Office. The event aimed to give participants insights into the banking profession and expose them to some of the diverse roles and specialisations that underpin modern banking. It also aimed to strengthen their communication, teamwork and creative-thinking skills through an experience that combined learning, interaction and direct exposure to the workplace.

The event featured a range of interactive activities and sessions, beginning with an introductory activity designed to help participants identify their interests and strengths while exploring different career paths within the bank. This was followed by a welcome address delivered by Khalfan Bot and then presentation about Bank Muscat, covering the organization’s evolution journey, its contributions to Oman’s banking sector, embracement of digital transformation, and the wide range of career opportunities and specialisations available within the Bank.

Participants were also introduced to employee initiatives and the Bank’s corporate social responsibility efforts. The programme also included an educational presentation on methods of fraud and how to combat them, presented by the Internal Audit Department. The children also engaged in an interactive activity on counterfeit currency detection. These sessions gave them a broader understanding of the roles played at different branch sections in supporting banking operations and enhancing their efficiency. They were also involved in a team activity that focused on future banking, encouraging them to work collaboratively, share ideas, and develop creative solutions together.

A guided tour at the Al Bahja branch provided participants with a closer look at various business units. These included sections of Asalah Priority Banking and Private Banking. The tour also covered a visit to the safe deposits section to learn about its benefits and were introduced to the Bank’s various cards and how to print them using the advanced card printing machine.

A few participants expressed their pleasure about the experience. Abdul-Rahman Khalid Al Balushi said: “I would like to sincerely thank Bank Muscat for organising this valuable and enriching event. It gave us the opportunity to learn about the institution’s sections, as well as the banking services provided at the branch. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn in a different way, particularly through the team activities, which encouraged us to think creatively, share ideas and work together. I also enjoyed meeting new people and exchanging ideas with them. The experience taught me that success in the workplace depends not only on knowledge, but also on effective communication, collaboration and the ability to think creatively.”

Sundus Mohammed Al Shizawi described the career exploration experience as both rewarding and inspiring, as she talked about how the experience provided a valuable opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the banking environment and discover a wide range of professional fields and specialisations. She continued to express how the event went beyond simply learning about what happens in a Bank, as it encouraged them to ask questions, engage with employees and benefit from their experiences and advice. The tour also helped her develop a clearer understanding of the areas that she may be interested in pursuing in the future. She also described how this event helped her realise that working in banking goes far beyond the traditional concept of banking and encompasses diverse fields such as technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and many others.

The Future Banker Day reflects Bank Muscat’s commitment to enhancing career awareness among employees’ children and giving them an early opportunity to understand the nature of work and the career options available within the banking sector. The initiative also introduces participants to a broad range of fields, including banking services, technology, artificial intelligence, risk management, audit and other specialisations that form part of the modern banking ecosystem. This event also built on Bank Muscat’s ongoing efforts to introduce a culture of innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit among younger generations. The Bank previously organized its Educational Camp for children, aimed at promoting concepts of entrepreneurship and innovation through a series of interactive educational activities designed to build participants’ capabilities and encourage them to develop and professionally present innovative business ideas.

The initiative further reflects Bank Muscat’s commitment to providing educational and interactive experiences that help develop the skills of the next generation while fostering the values of teamwork, creative thinking, curiosity and exploration. Through such experiences, participants are encouraged to ask questions, explore new areas of interest.