JoPACC, TSME, and Software AG launch JOIN Fincubator’s "Future Fintech Disruptors Academy"

In line with their commitment to youth empowerment, the Jordan Payments and Clearing Company (JoPACC) and Technology Strategies Middle East (TSME) in collaboration with Software AG, hosted a one-day event “Inspire to Empower - The Next Generation of Financial Leaders”, to mark the launch of JOIN Fincubator's "Future Fintech Disruptors Academy”. The initiative which is designed for university students and junior staff members of financial institutions in Jordan, aims to educate these groups about emerging topics and technologies, and the challenges they entail, all while providing a platform that fosters creative solutions to tackle these challenges. The event, held under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency Dr. Adel Al-Sharkas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of JoPACC and Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan, took place on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at the Kempinski Hotel in Amman, Jordan.

In his opening keynote speech, His Excellency Dr. Khaldoun Al-Wishah, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan, praised the commendable efforts of JoPACC, TSME, and Software AG in launching JOIN Fincubator’s "Future Fintech Disruptors Academy”, highlighting the crucial role this initiative is set to play in closing the gap between what students are taught at universities and the practical skills set they need for real-world jobs. His Excellency emphasized that collaborative efforts are paramount in cultivating the upcoming generation of financial leaders and highlighted the important need to equip them with practical competencies essential for excelling in the workforce.

The event which brought together banking professionals, academics, and other key players in the financial ecosystem, saw industry experts discuss multiple crucial topics, including the practical use of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) in the context of an open banking ecosystem, the role of Regulatory Technology (RegTech) in shaping the industry's compliance landscape, the promotion and impact of Green Finance, considerations related to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, and the application of cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in the financial sector.

Highlighting JOIN Fincubator’s commitment to foster fintech innovation, Ms. Maha Bahou, the CEO of JoPACC, stated that fintech has triggered a significant transformation in the financial sector, prompting financial institutions to fully embrace digital solutions as a means of remaining competitive in the face of evolving customer demands. Her Excellency acknowledged the dynamic role the younger generation can play in shaping the future of fintech in Jordan, stressing the need to invest in their education and exposure to real-world challenges in order to equip them with the necessary skills and opportunities to actively devise their own innovative solutions to address these challenges.

Mr. Firas Saifan, Managing Director of TSME stated: “In today's ever-changing world, it is more important than ever to inspire and empower the next generation of financial leaders. They are our hope for building a better future and maintaining steady growth in the banking industry through innovation. We at TSME are proud of the work we are doing to support the youth, and we are committed to continuing to grow our efforts and contribute to enhancing the industry." 

Mr. Rami Kichli, Software AG’s Senior Vice President for the Middle East & Turkey, commented: "We are thrilled to announce the launch of the “Future Fintech Disruptors Academy Program.” We are confident in the abilities of the next generation of financial leaders, and we are committed to providing them with the skills they need to thrive in a fast-paced world. This event was held as part of Software AG's corporate social responsibility initiatives and our efforts to continuously support, inspire, and empower the leaders of the future.”

It is worth noting that tIn line with their commitment to youth empowerment, the Jordan Payments and Clearing Company (JoPACC) and Technology Strategies Middle East (TSME) in collaboration with Software AG, hosted a one-day event “Inspire to Empower - The Next Generation of Financial Leaders”, to mark the launch of JOIN Fincubator's "Future Fintech Disruptors Academy”. The initiative which is designed for university students and junior staff members of financial institutions in Jordan, aims to educate these groups about emerging topics and technologies, and the challenges they entail, all while providing a platform that fosters creative solutions to tackle these challenges. The event, held under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency Dr. Adel Al-Sharkas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of JoPACC and Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan, took place on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at the Kempinski Hotel in Amman, Jordan.

In his opening keynote speech, His Excellency Dr. Khaldoun Al-Wishah, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan, praised the commendable efforts of JoPACC, TSME, and Software AG in launching JOIN Fincubator’s "Future Fintech Disruptors Academy”, highlighting the crucial role this initiative is set to play in closing the gap between what students are taught at universities and the practical skills set they need for real-world jobs. His Excellency emphasized that collaborative efforts are paramount in cultivating the upcoming generation of financial leaders and highlighted the important need to equip them with practical competencies essential for excelling in the workforce.

The event which brought together banking professionals, academics, and other key players in the financial ecosystem, saw industry experts discuss multiple crucial topics, including the practical use of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) in the context of an open banking ecosystem, the role of Regulatory Technology (RegTech) in shaping the industry's compliance landscape, the promotion and impact of Green Finance, considerations related to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, and the application of cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in the financial sector.

Highlighting JOIN Fincubator’s commitment to foster fintech innovation, Ms. Maha Bahou, the CEO of JoPACC, stated that fintech has triggered a significant transformation in the financial sector, prompting financial institutions to fully embrace digital solutions as a means of remaining competitive in the face of evolving customer demands. Her Excellency acknowledged the dynamic role the younger generation can play in shaping the future of fintech in Jordan, stressing the need to invest in their education and exposure to real-world challenges in order to equip them with the necessary skills and opportunities to actively devise their own innovative solutions to address these challenges.

Mr. Firas Saifan, Managing Director of TSME stated: “In today's ever-changing world, it is more important than ever to inspire and empower the next generation of financial leaders. They are our hope for building a better future and maintaining steady growth in the banking industry through innovation. We at TSME are proud of the work we are doing to support the youth, and we are committed to continuing to grow our efforts and contribute to enhancing the industry." 

Mr. Rami Kichli, Software AG’s Senior Vice President for the Middle East & Turkey, commented: "We are thrilled to announce the launch of the “Future Fintech Disruptors Academy Program.” We are confident in the abilities of the next generation of financial leaders, and we are committed to providing them with the skills they need to thrive in a fast-paced world. This event was held as part of Software AG's corporate social responsibility initiatives and our efforts to continuously support, inspire, and empower the leaders of the future.”

It is worth noting that the "Future Fintech Disruptors Academy” program will feature a hybrid learning model encompassing in-person training sessions and online webinars conducted by JoPACC, Software AG, and TSME staff. The program is expected to span over four months, with the initial phase comprising a five-week learning and engagement period, followed by brainstorming, product training, and guidance sessions. The program will conclude with a competition where participants pitch and showcase their innovative fintech solutions and prototypes created using the latest Software AG integration products.