ABU DHABI // An Emirati banking employee has been named the first UAE Mansion House Scholar.
Hind Eisa Salim, vice president and senior relationship manager at Mashreq Bank, was nominated by senior management.
“They wanted the highest preforming UAE nationals in UAE banks,” said Mrs Salim, who has more than 11 years experience in banking.
A day after an interview at the British embassy in Dubai, she was notified of the award, which varies from £5,000 to £7,500 (Dh29,196 to Dh43,800).
“I was very happy, I was not expecting it,” she said. “A lot of people were nominated from many banks, all high-performing individuals.”
After Mrs Salim’s selection in July, she was given the option between a full scholarship to study in the UK, a week-long training course in London, or an internship in the financial services sector.
“I chose the training programme,” she said. “I cannot afford to be away from work for a whole year for a master’s programme.”
After taking part in the training course in London last week and meeting with the lord mayor of London, Roger Gifford, and other scholars, Mrs Salim said she was now committed to staying in contact with the programme coordinators to “represent the UAE”.
“I am very pleased and honoured to be selected, this is a great honour,” she said. “The international relationship and networking will be very useful to me. Staying in touch with these scholars by attending seminars in the future will too, all to represent my country.”
The Mansion House Scholarship scheme, founded 16 years ago, is aimed at attracting the “brightest and best from the financial services sector in countries which have strong links with the UK financial services sector and in particular with the City of London”, the British embassy said.
“I am pleased that Mrs Salim has become the first Emirati winner of the Mansion House Scholarship,” said Ian Gibbons, deputy consul general. “We believe that sharing skills and experiences is at the heart of our relationship with the UAE.”
osalem@thenational.ae
