Supporting education development

The project, the latest in Unilever Arabia’s on going support for local schools, included renovation of the school buildings, and adding new modern facilities including a Unilever Vitality Centre that provides a computer lab, science lab, English language learning centre. The work was completed in time for the first day of the school, to the pleasant surprise of the 550 students and faculty.

Unilever Arabia also organized training courses and workshops for teachers and administrators, including specialized courses on modern teaching methods, as well as workshops on hygiene and proper nutrition for the students and their parents.

Although the economy of Saudi Arabia, and its neighbouring GCC countries, is bursting with opportunity and optimism, the main challenge for the region is to develop a national workforce to take advantage of the region’s immense potential. In the Kingdom, where 65% of the Saudi population is under the age of 25 and employment rate is growing, education is seen as a key enabler to prepare the youth with needed skills necessary to find gainful employment in an increasingly integrated and competitive global economy.

Jan Zijderveld, Unilever Middle East Chairman, said: "For many years, Unilever Arabia has invested in the Kingdom’s economy and the skills of its employees as well as in a wide range of community initiatives and we will continue to do so by focusing on education.  In addition to King Faisal School, we provide support for the development of other under-privileged schools in the more economically deprived region through out the Kingdom".

Shaikh Wahib Binzagr, Chairman of the Beit Binzagr group of companies described the initiative as 'a value adding module' to expand on, in partnership with Unilever, and with the support of the government.