Alumni Story: ESOL Student to Senior Vice President (Citibank)

Saba Rubaei studied English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at Bournemouth and Poole College, and has since achieved remarkable success, now serving as Senior Vice President (Head of International Cyber Regulation) at Citibank. Her journey is an inspiring testament to the transformative power of education and perseverance. 

Reflecting on her time at Bournemouth and Poole College, Saba describes her experience as life-changing: “My experience at the college was transformative. Moving to a new country and starting again was challenging, but the support and encouragement I had from the staff was really helpful. The college provided a nourishing and supportive environment, and the diverse student body made it easy to feel a sense of belonging. It’s a place where I gained confidence, not just in my language skills, but in myself as a person.” 

Her journey at Bournemouth and Poole College started with the ESOL programme, which provided her with a crucial “language foundation that she [I] needed to integrate into society”. Upon completion, Saba progressed onto studies in ICT at the college, which she explains, “sparked my passion for technology and cyber security as I went through my studies.”

After leaving the college, Saba pursued a degree in Software Engineering at Bournemouth University, later specialising in cybersecurity with a Master’s in Cyber Security and Human Factors. Today, she leads a global team managing regulatory change management at Citibank, the third-largest bank in the United States, with branches across 19 countries. Along her journey, she has taken leadership roles in diversity and inclusion initiatives and has received a plethora of awards in recognition of her contributions. 

“With cyber security, I can make a tangible impact to the organisation and individuals that I try to protect from evolving threats”, Saba explained. Her role as Senior Vice President is varied, however includes collaboration with a global team, assessment of regularity changes across multiple regions, analysis of impact assessment, stakeholder liaison and advising the senior leadership team. “No two days are the same in cyber security – but that’s what keeps it engaging and dynamic”. 

Alongside her accomplished career, Saba became a Board Member of the college in 2022. “As an alumnus, I’ve always felt a deep connection to the college and when the opportunity arose to become a board member, I felt this was my chance to give back to the institution where my journey started”, she explained. “The college played a pivotal role in my career and my journey and it’s been a privilege to contribute to the strategic direction.” 

Speaking of Bournemouth and Poole College, Saba finished by saying: “the college is a fantastic place to start your journey. It’s more than just an educational institution; it’s a community that provides an environment for students to grow and build their confidence… I would advise students to take advantage of any opportunities because you never know where it might lead you.”