Bank of Kigali has launched the first cohort of BK Academy, a training hub for the bank’s staff tasked to build a workforce that is well trained.

The academy, which was launched on August 23, is designed for Bank of Kigali staff at entry level from different sectors and fields, who will be gaining knowledge about banking and finance operations.

The training will be an annual activity that will last for three months, after which, the employee will immediately integrate into the bank in a department of their choice.

"The Bank of Kigali Academy is a unique centre for training BK staff, for them to be part of the future of the banking sector,” said Diane Karusisi, the Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Kigali.

This is the first cohort with 26 university graduates from both local and diaspora institutions.

"We had over 300 applicants in different positions, graduates applied from different universities and we chose only 26,” she said.

The academy was designed for the Bank staff at entry level since they hire people from different sectors, academic backgrounds and experience. This training will hence help them grow familiar with the banking and financial system, Karusisi said.

"In the academy, we have people who did finance, engineering, and other disciplines, so this will help them understand the rules and regulations that govern the banking sector,” she noted, adding that the bank expects them to bring in new innovative ideas, new areas of investment and new energy.

After the academy, the bank also hopes for them to be able to understand the vision of the institution.

Karusisi said that while bringing in new people and youth especially, they look forward to seeing new ideas, since things are changing now. With the young generation however, they hope to keep up with the trends in the banking system, she shared.

She added that since the academy is going to be an annual activity, they expect to train their other staff and their clients too, for them to understand how they work.

Godwill Tuyubahe, a computer science graduate from India, said that the training is very unique and important since it welcomes diverse disciplines for people who wish to work in the banking environment.

"Through the training, we are being taught how banks work and specifically how Bank of Kigali works,” he said.

"I had no idea on what the banking sector does, but for the next three months I will be having a clear picture of how banks work,” said Divine Ineza, a Global Challenges graduate.