The most desirable employer, Coca–Cola Hellenic Serbia, has selected the new, sixth generation of students who will participate in the “Coca–Cola Talents“ programme in the next two years.

At a cocktail attended by numerous partners, governmental and non-governmental organisations, the media and student organisations, the seven new Talents signed agreements on entering the programme.

In the next two years of the programme, the Coca-Cola Talents will have an opportunity to learn about the best practices of the Company and undergo best-class training, as well as work on actual projects, cooperating with the top management of the Company, who will share their long-standing international experience and expertise. In addition, during the programme, the students will receive financial support of EUR2,000per academic year.

In addition to the Company representatives, the Rector of the University of Belgrade wished all the success in the programme and further professional growth to the sixth generation of the Talents: BojanTopalov, Nevena Đurićand Adela Karamanfrom the Faculty of Organisational Sciences in Belgrade, Ivana Koprivicafrom the Faculty of Economics in Belgrade, Vladimir Filipovićfrom the Faculty of Economics in Niš, ĐorđePopovićfrom the Faculty of Law in Niš, and TeodoraMihajlovićfrom the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad.

In her brief addressing, one of the new Talents, Nevena Đurić, said thatshe perceived participation in the programme as an opportunity to improve knowledge and gain managerial skills, with top-class experts and mentors in Coca – Cola Hellenic Serbia.

On this occasion, the media in Serbia were for the first time addressed by the new General Manager of Coca-Cola Hellenic Serbia, Ramon Weidinger, who greeted all the guests, welcomed the new generation of the Talents and underlined the following: “Investing in young people, their education and advancement, is one of the top priorities of every society. Unfortunately, we are witnesses that the potential of young talented people does not find its way to success easily.

Therefore, six years ago, Coca-Cola Hellenic Serbia decided to transfer its vast experience to young people through this program and provide them with an opportunity to gain new relevant knowledge. One of the objectives is also to encourage young people to stay in the country so that, when the time comes, they can contribute to the progress of the local community with their professional work.

Students are increasingly interested in the programme from year to year, which confirms that young and talented people have recognised our initiative and that they are motivated by opportunities we provide. We managed to transfer passion for knowledge in our Company to more than 40 young people who joined the “Coca–Cola Talents“ programme. We hope that they will accomplish the best possible results in their future professional engagement in their respective areas of expertise. It will be the greatest success for us and the confirmation of the significance of the “Coca-Cola Talents” programme.“

Since 2006, when the “Coca-Cola Talents” programme was launched, around one thousand students from more than 45 state and private faculties in Serbiaapplied for it. So far, 42 students from 18 faculties were selected and they expanded and are still expanding their knowledge and experience in Coca-Cola Hellenic Serbia. 232 students applied for the programme of the sixth generation of the Talents, which is the highest number so far, and seven of them with the highest potential were selected.

„The University of Belgrade has supported the “Coca-Cola Talents” program from the very beginning, and we are proud to say that we joined the project as a partner in the past two years. We are glad that we have the opportunity to collaborate with Coca-Cola Hellenic Serbia on this project, which enables students to gain practical know-how and experience that will prepare them for their future career. I do hope that the "Coca-Cola Talents" program will encourage other companies operating in Serbia to join this initiative and develop similar programs for students,“ said the Rector of the University of Belgrade, BrankoKovačević and congratulated the newly selected students on their participation in the program“, said the Rector of the

University of Belgrade, BrankoKovačević, and congratulated to the newly selected students on their participation in the programme.

All students from accredited state and private faculties in Serbia who fulfilled the condition of enrolling to the third year of studies, have the average grade of 8.5 or more and are fluent in English were eligible to apply for this year’s “Coca-Cola Talents“ programme.

The selection process was divided in four phases: scanning of CVs, general aptitude testing, competence evaluation and final interviews, with the highest number of applicants so far. The contest was open from November 07 until December 07, 2011.