News Highlights
Author:
Maha Al-Azar,
Media Relations Officer,
Office of Information and Public Relations,
ma110@aub.edu.lb
 Suliman S. Olayan School of Business
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AUB and Coca Cola Join Forces On Corporate Social Responsibility
 | Dean Najjar
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PRESS RELEASE - Beirut, 1 March 2006 - The American University of Beirut (AUB) and Coca-Cola held today a seminar on Corporate Social Responsibility at AUB's West Hall, following a $2-million Coca-Cola grant that will be used to endow a marketing chair at the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business.
School of Business Dean George Najjar touted Coca-Cola's move as "a fine example of the kind of relationship that should exist between academia and industry," adding that he hoped other companies would follow suit.
Najjar said that the grant would allow the business school to attract world-class faculty, which would, in turn, improve standards at the school and offer students a better education.
"This is indeed a very generous gift, for which we are grateful and appreciative and which we would put to good use," said Najjar.
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 | Dr Imad Baalbaki
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Both parties announced that they are working together on a variety of activities; starting with the seminar that was held today, and an essay writing competition titled "Make every word count." Dr Imad Baalbaki, professor of marketing at the Olayan School of Business, explained that the essay competition will be open to all AUB students, who would be required to submit a 2000-word essay responding to the question: "In what way can Coca-Cola, through the use of Cause Related Marketing and/or community partnerships, utilize the power of its brand to demonstrate its commitment to the Lebanese society?"
The seminar, which was open to the public, attracted about 150 people who included students, faculty members, NGO representatives, and members of the media.
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 | Professor Dima Jamali
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Marketing and Management Professor Dima Jamali presented an overview on Corporate Social Responsibility, noting that in Lebanon, it is usually practiced by subsidiaries of multinational companies.
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 | Dr Kadri Ozen
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Dr. Kadri Ozen, public affairs and communications manager for Coca-Cola Eurasia and Middle East division spoke about Coca-Cola's commitment to education globally, regionally and locally.
Ms. Lubna Forzley, public affairs and communications manager for Coca-Cola Middle East, highlighted Coca-Cola's social responsibility projects in the region and in Lebanon.
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 | Ms Lubna Forzley
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Details on the establishment of the Coca-Cola Chair in Marketing, and essay competition can be found on the AUB Suliman S. Olayan School of Business website.
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