As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance engagement with the private sector, the College of Administration and Economics at the University of Karbala hosted a group of business leaders who are alumni of the college. The event coincided with a session of the College Council, chaired by Assistant Professor Dr. Hashem Jabbar Al-Husseini, the Dean of the College.
Attendees included:
- Mr. Nabeel Youssef Abbas, Managing Director of Kahramana Investments Company, an alumnus of the college, known for his involvement in various investment projects at the local level.
- Dr. Rafil Faisal Hassan, Managing Director of Afaq Al-Ru’ya Company for Training and Administrative Development, also a graduate of the college with significant contributions in the field of training and administrative skills development.
The objectives of the meeting were to:
- Strengthen collaboration between the college and private sector entrepreneurs in developing joint initiatives.
- Create internship and employment opportunities for students and graduates within private companies.
- Leverage alumni expertise to enrich academic curricula and align them with labor market needs.
- Explore ways to support startups and offer economic and managerial consultancy.
During the session, a discussion was held on the challenges faced by graduates in the labor market and the importance of aligning academic programs with practical industry demands. The guest entrepreneurs shared insights on emerging economic trends and offered guidance on how to better prepare students to meet the demands of both local and international markets.
Assistant Professor Dr. Hashem Jabbar Al-Husseini expressed his appreciation for the gathering, emphasizing the college’s commitment to maintaining strong ties with its alumni in the private sector. He noted that such partnerships are key to advancing higher education and ensuring its outcomes are relevant to real-world applications.
The meeting concluded with several recommendations, including:
- Organizing joint workshops and training sessions for students, led by industry professionals.
- Hosting regular forums that bring together academics and private sector experts to facilitate the exchange of experiences.
- Launching collaborative initiatives to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and provide a practical training environment for students.
This meeting marked an important step toward reinforcing the partnership between academic education and the business sector, aiming to prepare a generation capable of effectively leading economic ventures.
