The National Beverage Company Coca-Cola/Cappy (NBC) and the Palestine Polytechnic University signed a memorandum of understanding as part of the dual studies program which aims at consolidating the theoretical and applied education in the private sector in Palestine. The dual studies program was launched by the College of Dual Studies at the Palestine Polytechnic University, under support from the government of Germany through the German international cooperation institution GIZ. The signing of the MoU was witnessed by Mr. Imad al-Hindi, General Director of NBC, Mr. Rami Afaneh, Manager of Human Resources at NBC, a delegate from the Palestine Polytechnic University, headed by Dr. Moussa Rafaeyeh, Dean of the College of Dual Studies, Katrin Seibert, German expert, and Mr. Wessam Zaib, representative of the GIZ.
About the signing of the MoU, Mr. Imad al-Hindi, General Manager of NBC, said: “we take pride in our partnership with the Palestine Polytechnic University. Further, NBC is committed to equip the students with the necessary experience to join the labor market, and we have very successful previous experiences in this area”. He added: “The Palestinian students need this experience since they are not engaged in the work life. Through this program, they will have the opportunity to apply the information and skills they learn in different companies and corporations, which will contribute in their advancement and improve their educational level, and consequently increase their employment opportunity.”
“NBC is open to partnering with other universities, and it strives to hold partnerships and implementing initiatives projects that serve and benefit the Palestinian students, out of its conviction that the Palestinian youth has the abilities and skills that qualify them to advance the society, especially in the economic area”, asserted Mr. al-Hindi. He noted that NBC takes considerable interest in the educational sector as an essential part of its social responsibility efforts, and it sets up labs and provides equipment for the vocational schools on an annual basis. Mr. al-Hindi added: “We hope that other universities provide this program, which will contribute to identifying the needs and requirements of the labor market, and consequently reducing the youth unemployment rates”.
Dr. Moussa Rafaeyeh, Dean of the College of Dual Studies at Palestine Polytechnic University, said: “We have the honor to partner with a prestigious company like NBC in the dual studies program”. He asserted that NBC will be a great addition to the program. Dr. Refaeyeh added: “In the dual studies, our goal is to engage the private sector and the outstanding and leading companies, not only in the academic field, but also in the training process, to produce competent and excellent students who are ready to join the labor market.”
“The dual studies programs will contribute to enriching the students’ university experience, enhancing their professional and academic standard, and equipping them with the necessary skills by integrating the academic knowledge gained in the university with the knowledge gained from the training, which will make it easy for them to join the labor market, and increase their employment opportunities, thus reducing the youth unemployment rate”, added Dr. Refaeyeh. He praised the efforts exerted by NBC and its continuous commitment to support the education sector, and he hoped that this partnership would be the beginning of continuous cooperation that benefits both parties.
