New initiative strengthens skill base for Novartis in the Middle East

The Novartis MEA Academy, built around the philosophy of "Sharing Knowledge, Growing People", offers a range of courses at sites across the Middle East. Entrants to the first session of the Academy included professionals from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Oman, Yemen, Kenya and Nigeria.

By providing the opportunity for ongoing professional development for Novartis employees, the Academy offers an important new resource in a highly-competitive industry. Academy courses focus on a variety of key skills for the healthcare sector, including insights into marketing, sales and finance functions, and provide the opportunity for participants to develop their leadership and presentation skills.

"As the healthcare industry continues to grow and develop in the Middle East and Africa region, it's important for Novartis to invest in our representatives, and provide them with opportunities to improve and develop their core skills. Training and development are becoming increasingly important in the healthcare sector, both in terms of providing us with an edge in the market, and in attracting and retaining the most talented employees," said Liz MacGillivray, Head of Marketing and Sales, Novartis Pharma Services.

Consisting of lectures, interactive sessions and case studies, the Academy is one of the first programs of its kind developed by a healthcare company for the region. Its focus upon employee-led learning, where participants develop and deliver presentations to the class as part of the course, adds to its overall effectiveness.

"Novartis is a global company which focuses on the local community. Just as we aim, through our products, to help people help themselves, so we want each of our regional operations to be able to support themselves with highly-trained, highly-motivated staff," concluded MacGillivray.

Future sessions of the Academy will run throughout the region in 2005, with significant expansion planned for 2006, both in terms of number of entrants and subject matter.