Abu Dhabi, 12 November 2026: Rabdan Academy and the Emirates Institute of Finance (EIF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop academic and professional programmes in combating financial crime, advance research and specialist training, and equip professionals with the skills needed to address evolving financial and security risks.
The MoU was signed at EIF's premises in Abu Dhabi by Marwan Abunwas Al Mheiri, Chief Executive Officer of the Emirates Institute of Finance, and H.E. James Morse, President of Rabdan Academy.
The collaboration brings together Rabdan Academy's academic and security expertise and EIF's professional training capabilities in the financial sector to develop educational and practical learning opportunities focusing on combating money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing.
Marwan Al Mheiri, Chief Executive Officer of the Emirates Institute of Finance, emphasised that addressing financial crime requires closer integration between financial knowledge and security expertise, particularly as financial crime becomes increasingly sophisticated and risks more interconnected.
He said: “Our partnership with Rabdan Academy brings together EIF’s expertise in financial sector training and professional development with Rabdan Academy’s academic and security capabilities. By combining these strengths, we aim to develop specialised programmes that connect knowledge with practical application, equipping professionals with the skills to identify, assess and respond to emerging financial crime risks.”
He added: “We look forward to turning this collaboration into meaningful initiatives, from specialist training and practical case studies to applied research and knowledge exchange. Our focus is on developing learning solutions that respond to the evolving needs of institutions and strengthen the readiness of professionals to navigate future challenges.”
H.E. James Morse, President of Rabdan Academy, said: "Financial crime can no longer be viewed in isolation from wider security challenges. Addressing its methods and implications requires an integrated understanding of both disciplines. We are therefore drawing on the Academy's strengths in education and research to help prepare specialists capable of analysing these threats and keeping pace with their evolution."
Morse added: "Our partnership with the Emirates Institute of Finance will help bridge academic knowledge and professional practice, supporting the development of educational and research content that responds to the practical needs of relevant institutions."
Under the MoU, the two institutions will collaborate on designing specialist programmes, developing training plans and case studies, and exchanging financial and economic research, statistics and academic resources. The agreement also covers technical consultancy and the development of research capabilities.
Further areas of cooperation include short-term projects, research and development, innovation, and the organisation of conferences, seminars, workshops and training courses, alongside the exchange of scientific publications and relevant information.
