CBE Signs MoU With Coca-Cola HBC Armenia

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YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) is happy to announce that AUA’s Manoogian Simone College of Business and Economics (CBE) and Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (HBC)  Armenia and signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on January 22, 2021, charting further cooperation in student engagement. Coca-Cola HBC Armenia has been actively partnering with AUA for many years through formal and informal arrangements, including joint projects in business sustainability, hosting AUA students as interns and trainees, as well as guest lecturing and participating in career fairs. Elina Markaryan, Coca-Cola HBC Armenia PA&C director, has been leading the effort on behalf of the company.

The current agreement, signed between CBE Dean Dr. Vache Gabrielyan and Coca-Cola HBC Armenia General Manager Arthur Sahakyan, envisions periodic internships, graduation capstone projects and, most importantly, a commitment from Coca-Cola HBC Armenia executives to share their top-class experience with students through featured talks in select courses. Sahakyan expressed particular interest in continuing the company’s participation in business case discussions with CBE students, noting his positive experience meeting students in a Market Research course taught by CBE professor Theofanis Varvoglis.

“We are very pleased with the objectives set for our cooperation with Coca-Cola, and how our partners prioritize student engagement in real-life business projects, just as we do,” says CBE Industry Liaison Karen Sarkavagyan.

For the Spring 2021 semester, BAB seniors will conduct two graduation capstone projects with Coca-Cola HBC Armenia: one on brand association with music and another on customer lifetime value. Yesayi Melik-Yolchyan, Coca-Cola HBC Armenia commercial director, will be personally involved in working with the students in refining the scope of these projects and directing the students to accommodate the needs of the company. Another graduation capstone project is lined up for MSM students graduating in summer 2021. Coca-Cola HBC Armenia will host student teams of five in their offices for business discussions, and in the Happiness Museum, scheduled to reopen for visitors at the beginning of February.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.