The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) and the Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship (MBSC) have graduated the first group of entrepreneurs from their new Entrepreneurial Mindset Development Program.
The graduation ceremony was held on December 11, 2025, at the Islamic Development Bank’s headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It brought together senior bank officials, lecturers, sponsors, and guests to celebrate the achievement.
In total, 29 entrepreneurs from 20 IsDB Member Countries completed the program. The training combined online lessons with intensive face-to-face sessions led by MBSC lecturers and IsDB Institute experts. The goal was to help participants think differently about business, leadership, and problem-solving.
Speaking at the event, Eng. Adeeb Al-Aama, Chief Executive Officer of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), praised the graduates for their hard work. He said supporting young entrepreneurs is key to creating jobs, encouraging innovation, and driving long-term development in member countries.
The program was supported by three IsDB Group institutions: ITFC, the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD). Dr. Khalid Khalafalla, CEO of ICIEC and Acting CEO of ICD, said the partnership shows the group’s strong belief in entrepreneurship as a tool for economic growth and social impact.
Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of the IsDB Institute, said the program reflects the Institute’s long-term vision to build strong entrepreneurial skills across member countries. He described the collaboration with MBSC as a successful blend of academic knowledge and real-world impact.
MBSC Executive Dean, Dr. Zeger Degraeve, congratulated the graduates and praised their curiosity and commitment. He said MBSC remains focused on training future leaders with practical business skills and global standards.
Two graduate representatives shared their experiences, describing the program as life-changing and highlighting the strong connections formed among participants from different countries.
Beyond graduation, the participants have formed a joint entrepreneurial alliance to continue working together, sharing ideas, and building partnerships. The IsDB Institute and MBSC say they plan to expand the program and train more entrepreneurs in the coming years.
