UNILEVER, one of the world's leading FMCG companies and manufacturer of iconic brands such as Lipton and Sunsilk, has announced the winning team for the Country Talent Championship Saudi Arabia. The championship is a part of a larger Unilever initiative – an annual competition amongst students held in different countries around North Africa Middle East called “The Quest”. The Quest is the first ever cross-university, cross-country competition which seeks to provide students with an unmatched experience and the chance to win valuable rewards. Launched with 5 phases across several months, the Quest is in the fourth phase of “The Quest” which aims to filter out one winner from a total of 10 teams. This year, students from King Fahad University for Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Effat University, University of Business and Technology (UBT) and Dar Alhekma College were asked to analyze the deodorants segment for Unilever, resulting in a strategy that would double the business by the year 2016, maintain and grow market share, deal with supply chain restrictions, and enhance the profitability of this category. “Lipton Team” from KFUPM, outshone other short-listed teams and deservingly won first place in the competition. Each member of the team won an internship with Unilever KSA in addition to Ipad Tablets, and most importantly a chance of going on to the next stage of the global camp in Dubai, where the country champions from all 4 main markets of North Africa Middle East (NAME) will be competing for the winning title of “The NAME Entrepreneurs”. Moreover, the runner up, “Axe Team” from KFUPM also won an internship at Unilever.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Yasser Joharji, Managing Director of Unilever Saudi Arabia, said “these talented winners are ready to lead a successful career path. I'm impressed that the new generations are eagerly setting the bar high. We at Unilever like to hold these competitions to develop the youth not only for Unilever but for the greater good.” Ahmad Babatin, HR Director at Unilever Saudi Arabia, congratulated the winning team, saying: “the Quest is an annual competition held by Unilever Saudi Arabia to prove that there is a strong pool of talented students in the country. Unilever is always on the hunt for the best talent in the market that will help the company achieve its long term vision of doubling the size of our business while reducing our environmental footprint and increasing our social positive impact.” The Quest is one of many activities that Unilever holds across universities in this region, with the objective of inspiring students to become future business leaders, strengthen Unilever's engagement with students, and providing them with the right professional programs. It was preceded by activities in identified universities which allowed the students to register for “The Quest”, followed by shortlisted students visiting Unilever for a full day to experience the corporate culture at Unilever. — SG
