Students from the Department of Business Administration Organize a Scientific Field Visit to Al-Hayat Company
A scientific field visit to Al-Hayat Company was conducted on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, for first-year students from the Department of Business Administration at Cihan University–Erbil. The visit was supervised by Assistant Lecturer Hevi Mohammed Qader.
Upon arrival, the students were warmly received by Mr. Rebaz Hussein Hamad, the HR Manager. They were then given a general introduction to the company’s internal operations by Ms. Shaimaa Hatim Bahram, Food Safety Officer, and Ms. Bahoz Kamaran, Quality Officer.
At the beginning of the visit, Ms. Shaimaa explained that Al-Hayat Company operates as an official agent of the international PepsiCo company. She also clarified the main ingredients used in producing carbonated beverages, which include carbon dioxide (CO₂), sugar, flavoring, and water.
During the visit, Ms. Bahoz highlighted the importance of the two main departments in the company: Quality Assurance and Quality Control. She explained that the Quality Assurance Department is responsible for ensuring that raw materials meet PepsiCo’s international standards. She also noted that PepsiCo provides its agents each year with an approved list of suppliers for purchasing raw materials.
Ms. Bahoz further explained the role of the Quality Control Department, particularly in testing water quality. Since water constitutes approximately 70% of Pepsi products, special attention is given to its quality. The company uses underground water, which passes through several filtration stages. First, the SAM system is used to remove impurities, followed by the RRO system for sterilization. Finally, the water is stored and treated with chlorine to prevent bacterial growth.
Ms. Shaimaa and Ms. Bahoz also provided a detailed explanation of the production process, starting from bottle preparation to filling, capping, labeling, storage, and distribution. They explained that the company produces various beverages, such as Pepsi, Miranda, and 7UP, using glass bottles, cans, and plastic containers. The shelf life (expiration period) was clarified as 364 days for glass bottles and 181 days for cans and plastic bottles.
At the end of the visit, information was provided about employee health insurance, administrative affairs, and the company’s accounting system.
This field visit was a valuable opportunity for students to closely observe the company’s operations and production methods. In conclusion, the supervising lecturer and students expressed their sincere thanks and appreciation to all the company staff for providing this important scientific opportunity.
