“An Evening of Saudi Arabia” highlights AOC’s CSR efforts in the Far East

February 25, 2011

Shanghai, China - Aramco Overseas Company Public Relations and the Aramco Overseas Company Shanghai Representative Office hosted a cultural event entitled “An Evening of Saudi Arabia,” on Friday, February 25.

Mohammed Shoshan, Division Head of Industrial Relations (AOC), Wajdi Mugbel, Chief Representative, Division Head of Asia Pacific P&SD, and Sami S. Al-Saeed, Head of Public Relations (AOC), attended the event. In addition, a delegation from Tongji University, including Mr. Tao Xiaoma, Deputy Dean, Marketing Department, Mr. Lin Delong, Deputy Dean, Academic Administration Department, and Ms. Li Haiyan, Director of International Cultural Communications, were present, together with other university faculty members. Also in attendance were students whose studies are sponsored by Saudi Aramco and the Saudi government, and their professors and classmates.

This event was AOC’s first outreach event highlighting the company’s corporate social responsibilities (CSRs) in the Far East region. The aim of the evening was to introduce the history and culture of the Kingdom, reinforce the corporate image of Saudi Aramco and Aramco Overseas Company, and strengthen the company’s relationship with its local partner university, Tongji University. Events like these also build a good foundation for future outreach activities in China.

Wajdi Mugbel, Chief Representative, Division Head of Asia Pacific P&SD, introduced the history of and key facts about Saudi Aramco and AOC during his opening speech. He also thanked the students for their support in making the Saudi pavilion a success during the World Expo in Shanghai in 2010.

“Saudi Aramco and AOC always treasure the support from students and local community, and we believe students are the future of Saudi Aramco and the Kingdom,” Mugbel said. “Therefore, I would like to thank the management and all the professors from Tongji University for all your kindness and help to our students.”  

AOC PR management noted, “‘An Evening of Saudi Arabia’ is just the beginning of a great adventure for our future CSR activities in the Far East. [We] hope this event will be a good start for future [activities].”

Abdullah Baltan, a Saudi Aramco-sponsored student currently studying marketing at Tongji University, presented both historical and modern aspects of the Kingdom in both English and Chinese. All the Aramco-sponsored students also shared their living and studying experiences in Shanghai in both languages. A video featuring Saudi Aramco employees in China was also presented during the event, and all attendees enjoyed a mixed Saudi-Chinese dinner. During the meal they watched the Saudi Aramco-produced Visions of Saudi Arabia, a film featuring modern and natural scenery in the Kingdom.

“I think… it was a great night for all purposes. The event gathered students and teachers in a friendly atmosphere and created a very good impression of the company and the Kingdom,” said Baltan at the close of the evening. 

The event ended with a fun-filled game of charades in Chinese for the Saudi and Chinese students.  

By Chili Lee