Kuwait Finance House (KFH) has launched the first edition of the PR Academy by KFH program, aiming to educate undergraduate students and fresh graduates on the fundamental aspects of the public relations and media department at KFH. This initiative is in line with the Bank’s commitment to social responsibility and talent development.

In his opening address at the PR Academy, Group Chief Human Resources and Transformation Officer, Zeyad Abdullah AlOmar, emphasized that the program will provide students and fresh graduates with the opportunity to gain knowledge in public relations and media through updated and top-notch training methods, allowing them to make the most of their summer break.

He pointed out that the 4-week program consists of in-depth lectures, workshops, and seminars, along with visits to KFH's strategic partners and relevant government entities. He highlighted KFH's commitment to empowering young national talent by equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge for their professional development.

Meanwhile, KFH Deputy General Manager Public Relations and Media, Yousef Abdullah Al-Ruwaieh, expressed pride in the launch of the PR Academy program, indicating the program is significant as it contributes to fostering the professional development of students and graduates, preparing them for the job market. Al-Ruwaieh underscored the importance of public relations in driving success and exposure for institutions across various sectors, as well as enhancing communication between employees and the public, as well as among employees themselves. Additionally, he highlighted the role of public relations in supporting the strategic objectives of institutions.

Al-Ruwaieh commended the trainees for their eagerness and willingness to partake in this hands-on experience to gain a comprehensive understanding of all facets of public relations and media. The trainees were chosen to participate in the PR Academy after meeting strict criteria, not to mention going through personal interviews conducted by the Human Resources team.

He stressed that KFH offers unique and comprehensive training in various aspects of public relations and media through this program. This includes sustainability, media relations, copywriting, managing communication with media outlets, organizing events, social media management, public communication strategies, planning and executing media campaigns, government relations, communication with official bodies, and creating content using mobile phones, photography, and editing.

Al-Ruwaieh said that the training program includes simulating the real-life tasks of a Public Relations and Media professionals, such as appearing on camera, communicating with the public, hosting discussion panels, utilizing social media platforms, engaging with followers, and creating media content for publication. It is worth noting that the trainee students responded positively to these hands-on experiences.

He pointed out that the PR Academy program includes field visits, which are valuable additions to the students' learning journey. Some of the field visits were to KFH Capital, KFH Auto showroom, Tam Digital Bank, Coded Academy, Al-Salam Hospital, and the Kuwait Times newspaper, as well as a photography session with the renowned photographer Abdullah Al-Shaiji. He further explained that these visits play a significant role in enhancing the students' experiences and understanding of how these institutions operate. “These visits contribute to making the program more practical, comprehensive, and diverse”, Al-Ruwaieh concluded.