Inclusive banking training module created in Bangladesh reaches Surabaya, Indonesia

A training module on disability-inclusive banking created in Bangladesh has entered a new phase of international expansion. A 'Training of Trainers' (ToT) programme on the module, developed jointly by Prime Bank PLC, Team Inclusion Bangladesh Foundation and Australia's Monash University, has been held in Surabaya, Indonesia.

The four-day programme, titled 'Breaking Attitudinal Barriers: Inclusive Banking for Persons with Disabilities', was held from 12 to 15 October 2026 at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) in Surabaya. Bankers, disability rights activists, academics and representatives of various financial institutions took part.

The research-based module was first implemented in Bangladesh in May 2025, hosted by Prime Bank. Built from behavioural science, practical banking experience and the lived experience of persons with disabilities, the module aims to remove attitudinal, communication and institutional barriers on the path to financial inclusion.

The international programme was organised in joint collaboration with Prime Bank PLC, Team Inclusion Bangladesh Foundation, the Opportunity Tech Lab of Monash Business School, ITS Surabaya and Pertuni Surabaya as practice partners.

M M Mahbub Hasan, senior vice president of Prime Bank and head of its Financial Inclusion and School Banking division, contributed to the programme as a trainer and banking practitioner. He shared his practical experience of inclusive financial services and institutional banking practice.

Md Zahirul Islam, founder and executive director of Team Inclusion Bangladesh Foundation, served as the programme's designer and lead trainer. He designed the programme, adapted it to the Indonesian context and supervised the delivery of the training.

Abu Zafar Shahriar, an associate professor at Monash University's Monash Business School associated with the Opportunity Tech Lab, provided academic and research leadership. Dr Berto Mulia Wibawa, head of ITS Surabaya's Business Management department, provided institutional leadership and coordination, assisted by ITS teachers Mohamad Rizal Iskandar and Dr Puti Sinansari.

Disability rights activist Yustitia M Arif and trainers with visual and hearing disabilities were also involved. Participating and supporting institutions included PNM, Uprintis Indonesia, Kawan Ayu, Bank Indonesia and Bank Mega Syariah.

The training combined experiential learning, accessible communication, behavioural practice, the core principles of disability rights and institutional action planning, so that participants themselves become able to deliver inclusive banking training.

Monash University completed the programme's evaluation and certification process, assessing participants' learning outcomes and their readiness to deliver disability-inclusive banking training. The evaluation found that participants' knowledge, confidence in delivering training and readiness to train independently had increased.

After the Indonesian programme, the initiative is expected to expand further in Bangladesh through a proposed national ToT programme under the lead bank model, with the involvement of Bangladesh Bank. The initiative is seen as a reflection of growing cooperation among financial service providers, organisations led by persons with disabilities and educational institutions to expand accessible, fair and rights-based banking internationally.