Nahdi Medical Company (NMC), Saudi Arabia’s largest pharmacy retail chain and leading healthcare provider, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with King Saud University (KSU). The signing ceremony took place at King Saud University with Prof. Dr. Aws bin Ibrahim Al-Shamsan, the Dean of the College of Pharmacy at King Saud University and Samer Bukhari, Chief Human Resources Officer at Nahdi Medical Company.

Commenting on the partnership, Prof. Dr. Aws bin Ibrahim Al-Shamsan, the Dean of the College of Pharmacy at King Saud University said, “It is vital that as a community we acknowledge the integral role a pharmacist plays in providing therapeutic and advisory services to patients, especially amidst challenging times as the coronavirus pandemic. We are pleased to be partnering with Nahdi Medical Company, who are investing in preparing the nation’s young men and women for the labor market, creating job opportunities, and raising the level of Saudization of this vital sector in line with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.”

Speaking at the signing, Samer Bukhari, Chief Human Resources Officer at Nahdi Medical Company commented, “With mutual objectives, this cooperation aims to nurture young ambitious Saudi pharmaceutical students at KSU and provide them an opportunity to develop their proficiencies through our training and recruitment programs. We believe every pharmacist plays a pivotal role in our industry, given that pharmacies are the first touch point for most patients, and equipping future pharmacists with the right set of skills and knowledge will help elevate their role in the industry. Despite the 2020 global healthcare challenges, NMC remains committed to delivering intensive training workshops to students and has employed more than 600 Saudi students across the Kingdom. “

Bukhari explained that the Excellence program offered by NMC will provide future pharmacists with real-life career experiences and intensive training sessions at Nahdi’s community pharmacies under the supervision of certified trainers and pharmacists. The program is expected to attract more than a thousand coops this year, where applicants will have the chance to apply for full-time career opportunities at NMC once their training course is complete.

Post-graduates and academics from the college of pharmacy at KSU will be granted access to data from more than 1100 pharmacies across the kingdom as well as real-time interaction with more than 5 million guests per year.

It is noteworthy to mention that Nahdi Medical Company has partnered with more than 15 private and public universities across the Kingdom since 2008 with efforts directed towards shedding light on two focus areas of coop training and research which ultimately allows senior students to gain real world experience.

The strategic MoU underscores the spirit of industry-academic collaboration to enhance the authenticity of education, training and research as well as further the role of the Saudi youth in the economic development of the Kingdom.

For TV Stations

Press interview with Prof. Dr. Aws bin Ibrahim Al-Shamsan,and Samer Bukhari, Chief Human Resources Officer at Nahdi Medical Company

King Saud University & Nahdi Coverage (Low Resolution) bit.ly/38xzysd

King Saud University & Nahdi Coverage (High Resolution) bit.ly/2XyjQ9D

Photo caption During the signing, Doctor Aws Al-Shamsan (right) sits with CHRO Samer Bukhari (left)

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About Al-Nahdi Medical Companies (NMC)

Al-Nahdi Medical Company is an award-winning healthcare provider and Saudi Arabia’s largest pharmacy retail chain. The company was established in 1986 as a sole proprietor of two stores in Jeddah and in 2004, it became a Limited Liability Company. Today, it manages and operates 1149 stores in 145 cities in the Kingdom, one pharmacy in Dubai, UAE and two healthcare clinics in Jeddah. In the first half of 2019, NMC launched its first Nahdicare Clinic in Al-Marwa district in Jeddah, extending its healthcare offerings and presence in the country by offering personalized, specialist, superior care to local communities in line with the government’s National Healthcare Transformation Program. Over the past 35 years, NMC has received numerous awards and has been celebrated for its positive work culture and commitment to local communities. Highlights include being recognized in the inaugural ‘2020 Middle East Best Workplaces’ list by Great Places to Work and ‘Best Community Development Award at the Gulf Sustainability and CSR Awards’ in 2018.