March 29th, 2016: Students from the School of Business Administration at Canadian University Dubai (CUD) have witnessed the real-life business operations of a desert farm during a site visit to Al Rawabi Food Corporation, the UAE’s leading integrated dairy and poultry products company.
Led by Chair of the Human Resource Management program, Dr. Rommel Sergio, and Assistant Professors, Dr. Fermin Castillo and Dr. Maria Jade Catalan Opulencia, the field trip aimed to help students from a range of business majors to understand the various aspects involved in the day-to-day functioning of a major corporation.
The students witnessed the structure and organization of the Al Rawabi operations, which encompass more than 1,200 staff members, with plants and farmland covering over 460 hectares, and discovered how the company has used technology to boost its productivity.
Student Shakhnoza Zaitova commented, “The visit was very educational and provided some interesting insights into how businesses can apply innovation to help minimize costs. As a HR student, the most important thing I witnessed was how Al Rawabi is able to motivate all of its employees, regardless of tight schedules and tough work. This motivation is mostly derived from effective compensation plans for each and every employee and having a friendly organizational culture.”
International Business student Ginevra Nencha added, “The visit to Al Rawabi turned out to be something completely unexpected; it was fascinating to see how they have established a fully functional farm in the middle of the desert and become the leaders in the dairy product market. It was also interesting to meet with the employees and to see how the organization itself functions.”
The visit was organized as part of the University’s mission to enhance the curriculum with practical lessons from industry. Dr. Sergio said, “This educational plant visit is the first of its kind in the School of Business Administration. Students got the chance to interact with top brass people in the organization on how they recruit, train, and cope with the demands of the job. Students also roamed around the site to environmentally scan how the business operates. It was such a rewarding experience for students and faculty alike.”
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