IsDB and MBSC Celebrate First Graduates of Groundbreaking Entrepreneurial Mindset Programme

The first group to complete the Entrepreneurial Mindset Development Program, a joint effort between the Islamic Development Bank Institute and Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship, wrapped up their journey in Jeddah with a graduation ceremony that felt like a real milestone. I’ve seen plenty of similar initiatives across the region through my work with Arageek, and this one stood out for how much emphasis it placed on bringing people together from across very different parts of the IsDB Member Countries.

The event was hosted at the IsDB Headquarters, with Eng. Adeeb Al‑Aama representing the Bank’s President. He praised the 29 graduates for sticking with a programme that blended online modules with quite intense in-person sessions. He also reminded everyone that backing young entrepreneurs isn’t just a nice gesture – it’s part of the bigger picture of job creation and sustainable development. Spot on, if you ask me.

What struck me was how widely supported the programme was inside the IsDB Group. Three of its entities – ICIEC, ICD and ITFC – jointly sponsored the whole thing. Speaking for them, Dr. Khalid Khalafallah stressed how collaboration across institutions is key if entrepreneurship is going to shift from buzzword to genuine economic driver. I reckon he’s right; too many initiatives work in silos and then wonder why nothing moves.

Earlier in the ceremony, Dr. Sami Al‑Suwailem from the IsDB Institute talked about the long-term goal behind the programme: building entrepreneurial capacity in a way that makes Member Countries more resilient. It reminded me of conversations I’ve had with founders who always say that mindset, not money, is the hardest bit to nurture. On the flip side, MBSC’s Executive Dean, Dr. Zeger Degraeve, kept the spotlight on the graduates themselves, calling out their curiosity and determination – two traits that can’t be taught from a textbook.

Two of the participants, Ahd Abu Alrob and Nurgozha Kaliaskarov, also shared their reflections on how the programme pushed them to rethink their approach to leadership and innovation. Listening to participants at events like this, you realise just how diverse the backgrounds can be… and how that diversity, when it doesn’t become a bit of a faff, actually fuels stronger ideas.

The academic side of the programme covered entrepreneurial strategy, innovation, leadership, negotiation, business modelling and financial management, but it wasn’t all lectures. There were team exercises, mentorship sessions and assignments tied to real-world challenges. Believe it or not, the cohort even formed their own entrepreneurial alliance to keep collaborating beyond the programme – something I’ve only seen work well a handful of times, so hopefully this one sticks.

Before the ceremony wrapped up, Dr. Muhammad Azam Roomi, who directed the programme, highlighted how much the participants’ resilience shaped the experience. He pointed to the partnership between MBSC, IsDBI and the sponsoring entities as the backbone of the whole initiative, giving it both academic structure and developmental purpose.

Looking ahead, both institutions signalled they’re keen to expand future cohorts and keep building on this foundation. For a region riding a wave of entrepreneurial ambition, especially across the MENA where we at Arageek often hear young founders worrying more about mindset than capital, programmes like this feel not just useful but definately necessary.

🚀 Got exciting news to share?

If you're a startup founder, VC, or PR agency with big updates—funding rounds, product launches 📢, or company milestones 🎉 — AraGeek English wants to hear from you!

✉️ Send Us Your Story 👇

https://en.arageek.com/send-us-your-story-or-a-news-tip