DaimlerChrysler introduces Automotive Academy in Kuwait

The "Daimler-Chrysler Automotive Academy Kuwait", a partnership with the Kuwait government represented by the Kuwait Investment Au-thority (KIA), was officially introduced to the media on March 25, 2006.

H.E. Mr. Bader M. Al Humaidhi, Minister of Finance of the State of Kuwait and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ku-wait Investment Authority, Dr. Dieter Zetsche, DaimlerChrys-ler's Chairman of the Board of Management, further Daimler-Chrysler delegates, representatives of KIA and other high-ranking officials participated in this event.

The objective of the Academy is to qualify young Kuwaitis who have already completed their basic and higher education in other Kuwaiti institutions, such as universities or PAAET (Public Authority for Applied Education and Training). Accordingly, Dr. Zetsche emphasised that "taking social responsibility by pro-viding young Kuwaitis with prospects through professional training is an important investment in the future".

The training program encompasses mechatronics, electrical systems electronics and diagnostics of passenger cars and commercial vehicles. In addition, general courses in manage-ment and marketing will be given. The Academy is established at Abdul Rahman Albisher & Zaid Alkazemi Company, the authorised Mercedes-Benz distributor in Kuwait, where a new building will house three classrooms for theoretical training modules, training workshops for practical classes, and a cafeteria.

The plan for the DaimlerChrysler Automotive Academy Kuwait was drawn up in July 2004, followed by a Memorandum of Un-derstanding, which was signed in February 2005 by the Kuwait Investment Authority and DaimlerChrysler. The official opening of the Academy will take place in the autumn of 2006.

The DaimlerChrysler Automotive Academy Kuwait represents a further milestone of DaimlerChrysler's engagement in the Near and Middle East. One outstanding example of DaimlerChrysler's activities is the annual Arab-European Exchange Forum as the most important component of the partnership between Daim-lerChrysler and the Young Arab Leaders (YAL) organisation.

Every year, this Forum brings together managers from the Arab world with executives from Europe to discuss current economic issues and to deepen mutual understanding.