Burgan Bank Renews Strategic Sponsorship of Academy X with CODED for a Second Consecutive Year
Burgan Bank has renewed its strategic sponsorship of Academy X with CODED for the second consecutive year, reaffirming its commitment to empowering young Kuwaiti women with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
The program forms part of the Bank’s broader efforts to support national talent development and advance digital empowerment among young women. It also reflects Burgan Bank’s commitment to creating sustainable social impact through its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework while contributing to the objectives of Kuwait Vision 2035.
Commenting on the renewed sponsorship, Hessa AlNajadah, Senior Manager – Media Relations and CSR at Burgan Bank, said: “At Burgan Bank, we believe that investing in the education, training, and empowerment of young Kuwaiti women is one of the most meaningful investments we can make in our community. More than 500 students graduated from Academy X last year, and we look forward to welcoming even more participants this year. Through our continued strategic sponsorship of the program, we aim to provide young women with opportunities to develop practical skills in areas such as tech entrepreneurship and AI-powered marketing, while also promoting financial literacy through the Let’s Be Aware (Diraya) campaign. Ultimately, our goal is to help participants build successful careers and contribute to Kuwait’s future growth and development.”
On her part, Fatima Ahmad, Senior Manager – Culture & Employee Experience at Burgan Bank, added: “We are proud to continue supporting Academy X alongside CODED. The program provides participants with hands-on learning experiences that strengthen their digital capabilities and prepare them for an evolving job market. By equipping young women with practical and technical skills, Academy X helps narrow the gap between educational outcomes and workforce requirements. The program also supports Burgan Bank’s digital transformation strategy and its commitment to developing future-ready national talent.”
Hashim Behbehani, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of CODED Academy, said: “We are living in a time where the skills required for success are evolving faster than ever before. Access to technology and knowledge is no longer the challenge—the real opportunity lies in empowering individuals to use these tools to create, innovate, and lead. This is the vision behind Academy X. We believe that the future belongs to those equipped with the right skills and mindset, and we are confident that young Kuwaiti women have the talent, ambition, and potential to play a leading role in shaping that future. Through Academy X, we aim to provide participants with practical experience, emerging technology skills, and the confidence to transform ideas into impactful ventures and meaningful solutions.
Behbehani added, We are proud of the achievements of Academy X graduates over the years and excited to witness the next generation of innovators and changemakers emerge from this program. We also extend our sincere gratitude to Burgan Bank, our strategic sponsor, for its continued support in making these opportunities accessible to aspiring young women across Kuwait.”
Academy X is a free year-round educational and training program designed for female high school and university students. Through an applied learning model, participants gain practical experience in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship while developing projects that transform ideas into real-world solutions. The program also offers mentorship opportunities, interactive discussions, and guidance sessions led by prominent female leaders from Kuwait’s technology and entrepreneurship sectors.
Burgan Bank’s continued support of Academy X builds on the success of its collaboration with CODED and reflects its long-term commitment to empowering young women, developing national talent and contributing to Kuwait’s sustainable future.
Background Information
Burgan Bank
Established in 1977, Burgan Bank is the youngest conventional Bank and second largest by assets in Kuwait, with a significant focus on the corporate and financial institutions sectors, as well as having a growing retail, and private bank customer base. Burgan Bank has majority owned subsidiaries in the MENAT region supported by one of the largest regional branch networks. which include Gulf Bank Algeria - AGB (Algeria), Bank of Baghdad - BOB (Iraq & Lebanon),Tunis International Bank – TIB (Tunisia), and fully owned Burgan Bank – Turkey, (collectively known as the “Burgan Bank Group”). Furthermore, Burgan Bank has a present in the UAE through its corporate office (“Burgan Financial Services Limited) which had helped the bank to participate in multiple financing opportunities in the UAE.