Beirut, DD January, 2016 – In line with its strategy to support youth in their educational and career paths, Bankmed concluded the tenth edition of its Retail Internship Program, “Making a Difference,” in a special ceremony held at its headquarters in Clemenceau on November 21, 2015. The ceremony, which recognizes the program’s distinguished students, gathered a number of university professors and the Bank’s executives in addition to the talented students, who were invited to celebrate their success.
Bankmed’s Retail Internship program is an oriented learning opportunity that is designed to enable undergraduate students gain a practical experience in the banking field. Throughout the program, students are exposed to an environment that allows them to think and interact in the operational banking setting. This step aligns with Bankmed’s strategy and underpins the Bank’s responsible approach to business by highlighting its endeavors in shaping its long-term sustainability goals.
In 2015, Bankmed provided internship opportunities to more than 100 students, who were engaged in the internship program that extends over a period ranging between four and eight weeks spread between June and September. Assignments mainly took place in the Branches, Branch Network Head Offices, Electronic Delivery Channels, and Consumer Credit Products Divisions.
During the ceremony, Mr. Read Jalloul, Head of Branch Network and Retail Liability Products at Bankmed, highlighted the importance of the internship program and the vital role it plays in ensuring a sustainable and bright future for tomorrow’s generations. Following Mr. Jalloul, Mrs. Rola Ejjeh, Head of Talent Management and Training at Bankmed, stressed the added value of this program and its efficiency in helping interns build their professional skills. She also added that the program inspires the interns to challenge and grasp every opportunity, highlighting the unique features of this program. She noted in this regard, “Interns have assignments to do, special tasks to prepare, and a mission to practice and apply what they have learned in their universities and eventually in the work field after they graduate.” Mrs. Ejjeh concluded her word by inviting university students, mainly juniors and seniors, to visit Bankmed’s website in order to apply and reserve their spot for the Bank’s 2016 Retail Internship Program.”
The key university officers, present at the event, praised Bankmed’s internship program for its pivotal role in creating opportunities for students, where they can put theory into practice. Dr. Dory Daw – Coordinator, Human Resource Management Department at Sagesse University, commented on this occasion and commended Bankmed for being a pioneer in organizing such event. He added, “The Talent Management and Training Division at Bankmed shows a high level of professionalism and opens the door for students to liaise easily with the marketplace and to prove themselves not only at the academic level but also at workplace.” In his turn, Dr. Antoine Sabbagh, Executive Director of the Undergraduate Program of Olayan School of Business at the American University of Beirut (AUB), expressed his appreciation to the entire Bankmed team for the time and effort that they have invested in the internship program. He commented saying, “Your guidance and mentoring to our students throughout their internships led to a worthwhile educational and a practical experience. I wish you continuous success as I am looking forward to the next season.”
The ceremony was concluded with the distribution of certificates and awards to distinguished performers.