Ongoing collaboration drives professional development through expert-led training programs, with more initiatives on the horizon.
Dubai, UAE, March 27th, 2025 – IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) Middle East, the regional arm of the global association for accountants and financialprofessionals in business, and the DIFC Academy, the education center of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial hub in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, are proud to announce the successfulcompletion of a series of workshops that have trained over 500 finance professionals in DIFC and beyond.
Theseworkshops represent the first tangible outcome of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking the beginning of a meaningfuleducational collaboration between the twoorganizations. Designed to enhance the skills and expertise of accounting and finance professionals, the sessions covered key topics such as strategicfinancial management, sustainability, and emergingindustry trends. The programs have been extremelywellreceived by participants, withmanyhighlighting the opportunity to engage with experts in the profession.
“These workshops are a significantmilestone in our partnership with DIFC Academy, and we are thrilled to see the positive impact they’vehad on more than 500 finance professionals,” said Ahmad Mkhallati, Senior Director of IMA Middle East, India, &Africa Operations. “These workshops are just the first in a series of planned initiatives, all aimed at enhancingprofessionaldevelopmentacross the region and ensuring finance professionalsremain at the forefront of a rapidlyevolving profession.”
Alya AlZarouni, Chief Operating Officer at DIFC Authority and Head of the DIFC Academy, added, “The success of these workshops underscores the potential of our partnership with IMA Middle East. The MoUsigned last year laid the foundation for a robust collaboration, and we are excited to seeit come to life with the launch of these training programs. Weremaincommitted to expandingoureducationalofferings and empowering finance professionals in DIFC and across the region to drive meaningfuleconomicgrowth.”
Lookingahead, IMA Middle East and DIFC Academy are planning additional workshops and training initiatives designed to furtherdevelop the knowledge and capabilities of finance professionalsacross the MEASA region.
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About IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants)
IMA®is one of the largest and mostrespected associations focusedexclusively on advancing the management accounting profession. Globally, IMA supports the profession throughresearch, the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant), CSCA® (Certified in Strategy and CompetitiveAnalysis), and FMAA™ (Financial and ManagerialAccounting Associate) certification programs, continuingeducation, networking, and advocacy of the highestethical business practices. Twicenamed Professional Body of the Year by The Accountant/International Accounting Bulletin, IMA has a global network of about 140,000 membersin 150 countries and 200+ professional and studentchapters. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., USA, IMA provideslocalized services throughits six global regions: The Americas, China, Europe, Middle East/North Africa, India, and Asia Pacific. For more information about IMA, pleasevisitwww.imanet.org.