DIFC Academy

🚀 The Great Space Debate is coming to DIFC! The DIFC Academy is proud to collaborate with Monckton Chambers, A&O Shearman, FTI Consulting, and the DIFC Courts to present a groundbreaking event: “This House would adopt the EU Space Act as a template for regulating disputes in the international space sector” As the space industry accelerates — with the Middle East playing a pivotal role — questions around conflict resolution, privacy vs. accountability, and regulatory frameworks are more relevant than ever. - Should disputes be resolved through arbitration or litigation? - Is privacy more critical than public transparency? - Will the EU Space Act propel the sector forward, or is a new model needed? Join us for a thought-provoking morning with leading legal and industry experts as we explore the future of space law and dispute resolution. Speakers include: Michael Bowsher KC, Monckton Chambers Sanjeev B. FTI Consulting Yacine Francis, A&O Shearman Amna Al Owais, DIFC Courts Ewan West KC, Monckton Chambers Jen Coyne, Monckton Chambers Michelle Ancona Reynolds Romain Loubeyre Let’s shape the future of space law — together. To register: https://lnkd.in/gvE4b_UZ

A big thank you to everyone who joined us last week for Session 3 of the DIFC Compliance Series 2025: Enterprise Risk Management and Integrated Governance for Compliance. This wasn’t just a theoretical discussion — it was a hands-on, practical session where attendees walked away with concrete tools and strategies to strengthen their compliance frameworks and embed ESG considerations into their risk management approach.  From identifying and assessing compliance risks to designing governance structures and mitigation controls, the session empowered professionals to apply what they learned immediately in their organisations. Huge appreciation to our expert speakers Rensche Olivier - Governance, Risk and Compliance Director at VISTRA and Sabrine Makkes, LL.M., Esq., CCEP-I, Founder and CEO at Women In Mentoring and Envizion Consulting LLC, for delivering such a rich and actionable experience. We’re proud to be building a community of forward-thinking professionals committed to ethical, resilient, and sustainable business practices. Next Up – Session 4: Data Protection and Privacy Compliance Across Jurisdictions Join us tomorrow as we explore how organisations can navigate the complex web of global data protection laws, build robust privacy frameworks, and ensure cross-border compliance. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gEvaeU3f

Financial Crime Is Evolving — Are You Prepared? We’re proud to present Session 6 of the DIFC Compliance Series, delivered in collaboration with Themis, a leader in governance, risk, and compliance innovation. This session is your gateway to mastering the latest strategies in AML, anti-bribery, and sanctions compliance — essential tools for navigating today’s high-risk financial environment. Meet the Experts: Nikhil Gandesha – Head of Training at Themis Kiran Varma – Senior Risk & Compliance Expert at Themis What You’ll Gain: Master AML, anti-bribery, and sanctions frameworks Implement effective customer due diligence (CDD) and transaction monitoring Detect suspicious activity and report with confidence Navigate DFSA and UAE AML regulations Design robust financial crime controls Stay current with global sanctions regimes Financial crime is sophisticated — your compliance strategy should be too. Learn from industry leaders and future-proof your organisation. Register now and be part of the region’s leading compliance learning experience: https://lnkd.in/gw7TviXX #DIFCAcademy #Themis #ComplianceSeries #FinancialCrime #AML #SanctionsCompliance #AntiBribery #RiskManagement #ProfessionalDevelopment #DIFC

As the digital landscape evolves, so do the ethical and regulatory challenges we face. Join us for a powerful session that bridges traditional compliance with the emerging frontiers of AI governance. DIFC Compliance Series 2025 | Session 5: Ethics, Conduct Risk & AI Governance 🗓️ Thursday, 30 October 2025 🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Gulf Standard Time) 📍 Live Online | GoTo Webinar Gain critical insights into: Building a culture of ethics and accountability Managing conduct risk in financial institutions Implementing effective whistleblower programmes Understanding AI governance: transparency, fairness & accountability Integrating AI risk into compliance frameworks Expert Speakers: Lori Baker Vice President – Data Protection & Regulatory Compliance, DIFC Authority H.E. Dr. Saeed Al Dhaheri Commissioner, UNESCO Co-Chair & Director, Center for Futures Studies, University of Dubai Stay ahead of the curve by aligning your compliance strategy with evolving technologies and societal expectations. Learn how to proactively manage AI risks while fostering a resilient compliance culture. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gQxhbsmn

We’ve officially launched Batch 5 of the UAE Corporate Tax Diploma at DIFC Academy! Today marks another milestone in our commitment to delivering high-impact, industry-relevant education that empowers professionals to navigate the evolving tax landscape in the UAE. A heartfelt thank you to PwC Academy Middle East for the continued partnership and dedication in delivering this flagship programme. Your expertise and collaboration have been instrumental in shaping the success of this diploma at the DIFC. Special thanks to: Reem Abu Namous, CPA – for leading the session as lecturer and sharing her deep insights Shraddha Merchant, ACCA, UAECA, Hamid Naqvi and Reem Ayman – for guiding participants through the course structure and administrative essentials Sharlene Rubillos – for the welcome and seamless behind-the-scenes coordination that made today’s launch possible With each batch, we welcome a new wave of learners eager to deepen their understanding of corporate tax and its implications for businesses in the region. Interested in joining the next cohort? Register your interest for Batch 6 here: https://lnkd.in/dpDVrNjj

The DIFC Academy was honored to host Columbia Business School this week for an insightful visit to the DIFC. Accompanied by Professor Aamir A. Rehman, a cohort of MBA students joined us to explore the UAE’s economic landscape and business opportunities. Their visit reflects a shared commitment to global learning, cross-border collaboration, and the future of business leadership. A heartfelt thank you to our distinguished speakers for enriching the dialogue and sharing their expertise: Tazeen Munir for sharing valuable insights into the DIFC Academy's vision and initiatives Roula Omran for delivering a comprehensive and engaging overview of the DIFC's ecosystem Abdul Rahman El Sabagh for delivering an insightful session on the DIFC Innovation Hub and its role in driving forward-thinking entrepreneurship and technology within the region. Special thanks to Natalie Ojerio and Sharlene Rubillos for organising and coordinating this meaningful visit. We look forward to more opportunities that connect world-class institutions with the region’s thriving business ecosystem.

The DIFC Academy is proud to once again join forces with Georgetown University McDonough School of Business for a high-impact workshop exploring the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in Business and Public Policy. This session will demystify AI predictive models — especially Large Language Models (LLMs) — and explore how they’re reshaping decision-making, measurement, and analytics across industries and governments. We’ll also dive into what’s next for AI in these critical domains. Featured Speaker: Marko Klasnja - Provost's Distinguished Associate Professor, Georgetown University Join us at the DIFC Academy as we bring global academic excellence to the heart of innovation. To register: https://lnkd.in/gtMS4xFA #DIFCAcademy #GeorgetownUniversity #AILeadership #PublicPolicy #LLMs #InnovationInDubai

The DIFC Academy, in collaboration with the CFA Institute, hosted a thought-provoking roundtable at the DIFC offices on Talent and Upskilling in Finance amid Digital Transformation.   The session brought together senior leaders to explore how technology is reshaping the financial sector. Discussions covered a wide range of themes, from the pace and uncertainty of AI and technological change to the growing importance of complementary human skills and AI cognition.   We were pleased to have Dana Day, Managing Director of the CFA Institute, moderate the session alongside Michel Boutros of the CFA Institute and Milind Taneja of DIFC. Rhodri Preece, CFA, Senior Head of Research at the CFA Institute, presented key findings from recent CFA research on the use of big data in investment management, adoption of AI and FinTech, and emerging skills gaps across the profession, setting the stage for an engaging exchange. The session also featured a short presentation by Tazeen Munir, Head of DIFC Academy, who shared the Academy’s vision and commitment to empowering finance professionals through future-focused learning. Special thanks to Sharlene Rubillos, Milind Taneja, Jeanette Tawk and Michel Boutros for making this event possible and ensuring its success. We extend our appreciation to all the industry leaders who joined and enriched the discussion with their insights. Amit Upadhyay Aruma George Muthoot Danhong Zhang - PMP Hussein Sayed, CFA, CMT Karl Tlais Ketaki Sharma Nisha Sanghani ACA BFP Shrenik Parekh, CFA Urooj Tahir William Tohmé, CFA #DIFCAcademy #CFAInstitute #DigitalTransformation #FutureofFinance #Upskilling #ArtificialIntelligence #FinTech #InvestmentManagement

The DIFC Academy, in collaboration with HKU Business School and the HKUBS Alumni Network Middle East, was pleased to host an engaging masterclass in Dubai on “Latest Global Bitcoin and Crypto Trends.” The session was led by Professor Henri Arslanian, Adjunct Professor at HKU Business School and a global authority who taught the world’s first university course on crypto. Professor Arslanian took participants on an inspiring journey from the history of money to the future of finance, showcasing key innovations emerging from Dubai and Hong Kong.   Our very own Milind Taneja opened the evening, welcoming esteemed guests and setting the tone for an insightful exchange of ideas. We were honoured to have Mr. Simon Chan, Director-General of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai, share his opening remarks, followed by Professor Heiwai Tang, Associate Dean (External Relations) of HKU Business School & Associate Vice-President (Global) of the The University of Hong Kong.   The event highlighted the growing collaboration between Hong Kong and Dubai in driving financial innovation and reflected DIFC Academy’s mission to bring world-class learning and global expertise to the region.

In today’s data-driven world, privacy isn’t optional — it’s essential. Join us for a high-impact session designed to help professionals confidently navigate data protection laws across borders, including the DIFC Data Protection Law and global standards like GDPR. Learn how to: ✔️Build privacy programmes that meet regulatory expectations ✔️Manage breach risks and cross-border data flows ✔️Align with international compliance frameworks 🎙️ Speaker: Dino Wilkinson Partner at Baker McKenzie, and one of the region’s leading experts in technology and data law. Whether you're in legal, compliance, or operations — this course equips you to lead with confidence in a privacy-first era. Secure your spot now and stay ahead of evolving data regulations: https://lnkd.in/gEvaeU3f #DIFCAcademy #BakerMcKenzie #DIFCComplianceSeries #DataPrivacy #GDPR #ComplianceLeadership #PrivacyByDesign #CrossBorderCompliance