Qatar Islamic Bank and INJAZ Qatar Expand Life Skills Program to Empower 25,000+ Students

Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) has extended its partnership with INJAZ Qatar for a third year to deliver the Life Skills Program to preparatory students. For fintech professionals, this represents a strategic integration of digital banking tools into the national education system, aiming to build long-term brand loyalty and financial literacy among Qatar’s future workforce.

What was announced

The continuation of the Life Skills Program focuses on students in Grades 7, 8, and 9 across Qatar. Under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between traditional classroom learning and the practical skills required for the modern economy. The program has already demonstrated significant scale, reaching 25,084 students across 77 preparatory schools during the 2025/26 academic year. This cohort included students from 72 public schools and five private schools following the national curriculum, supported by a network of 190 trained teachers.

The curriculum is tailored to specific age groups to address different stages of financial and professional development. Grade 7 students participate in “It’s My Business,” a module designed to foster entrepreneurial thinking and business idea development. Grade 9 students engage with “It’s My Future,” which focuses on career planning, personal branding, and the development of both soft and technical skills necessary for the world of work.

A key component of the expanded collaboration is the inclusion of Grade 8 students in a dedicated fintech activity. This module utilizes a demonstration version of QIB Junior, the bank’s digital banking solution for minors, to introduce practical financial concepts. In the previous academic year, approximately 12,570 Grade 8 students participated in this interactive session, providing them with direct exposure to digital banking interfaces and financial management tools in a controlled educational environment.

"We are pleased to continue our collaboration with INJAZ Qatar and build on the positive impact achieved over the past two years. By supporting Grade 7 to 9 students and extending their learning experience, we equip the younger generation with practical life, entrepreneurial and financial skills that will help them make informed decisions and confidently prepare for their future. This initiative reflects QIB’s commitment to youth development and to supporting the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030."

Mrs. Mashaal Abdulaziz Al Derham, Assistant General Manager, Head of Corporate Communications & Quality Assurance at QIB.

The companies involved

Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) is recognized as the leading digital bank in Qatar. Since its inception, it has established itself as a dominant force in the Shari’a-compliant banking sector, focusing heavily on the modernization of its retail and corporate service suites. The bank operates with a significant emphasis on digital transformation, often serving as a first-mover in the Qatari market for mobile-first banking features and automated financial services. Its involvement in educational initiatives aligns with its broader corporate social responsibility strategy and the state’s long-term economic diversification goals.

INJAZ Qatar is a prominent non-profit organization dedicated to youth economic empowerment. It operates as part of Junior Achievement Worldwide, focusing on three main pillars: workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. By partnering with local financial institutions and the Ministry of Education, INJAZ Qatar acts as a conduit between the private sector and the academic world, ensuring that the skills taught in schools remain relevant to the evolving demands of the global and local job markets. The organization is led by CEO Emad Al Khaja.

What FF News has reported before

QIB has been consistently active in upgrading its digital infrastructure to maintain its market-leading position. FF News previously reported that Qatar Islamic Bank Upgrades Mobile App Experience with Advanced Search and Redesigned Credit Card Hub, highlighting the bank's focus on user experience. The institution has also targeted the business sector, as seen when QIB Revamps Corporate App to Streamline Digital Banking for Qatar’s SMEs and Corporates.

Beyond core banking, the lender has expanded its digital ecosystem to include investment and lifestyle rewards. This includes when QIB Launches Digital Subscription for Baladna Rights Issue via Mobile App and the collaboration where QIB and Visa Unveil Exclusive Summer Rewards for Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cardholders. These developments underscore a broader trend of QIB embedding itself into every facet of the Qatari consumer’s digital life.

What this means

This announcement highlights a growing trend in the MENA region where financial institutions are moving beyond traditional marketing to engage in "educational capture." By integrating proprietary tools like QIB Junior into the school curriculum, banks are effectively lowering future customer acquisition costs. This puts pressure on regional competitors to develop similar educational partnerships or risk losing the next generation of digital-native consumers before they even reach adulthood. The move also raises questions for the industry about the balance between pure financial literacy and brand-specific promotion within public education. Ultimately, as digital banking becomes a commodity, the battle for market share is shifting toward early-stage engagement and the gamification of financial education.