Litvinov, February 14, 2018 – 17 talented pupils of secondary school Educhem in Mezibori u Litvinova received scholarships in a total amount of 43 thousand crowns in Valdstejn Castle in Litvinov. Scholarships are traditionally awarded by the school management as part of the internal motivation programme and are funded by Unipetrol.
„The scholarships were awarded to a total of seventeen pupils from the first, second and fourth grade of Applied Chemistry. Financial support is granted once every six months, based on students’ GPA,“ Helena Kripnerova, headmaster of EDUCHEM, a.s, said.
The main goal is to encourage pupils' interest in chemistry studies and to motivate them to achieve extraordinary results. „In recent years, we have been observing growing interest in chemistry studies, among others also thanks to our intensive cooperation with Unipetrol,“ Helena Kripnerova said.
„The cooperation with Unipetrol is mutually beneficial. Thanks to Unipetrol, we can attract students to a prospective field of study which combines teaching with practice. Vice-versa Unipetrol is guaranteed a continuous supply of well-educated graduates with extensive knowledge in the field," Pavel Prosek, the school’s statutory headmaster, said adding: “Together we organize numerous excursions, discussions, and workshops for both pupils and teachers. Moreover, Unipetrol helped us with chemical aids supplies. A well-equipped laboratory is crucial for studying chemistry."
„We have been cooperating with Educhem for a long time. Almost a third of our operators in Chempark Záluží graduated from it after all. We are pleased that the new owners are developing the schools again and that the number of pupils is growing,“ Tomáš Herink, Member of the Unipetrol Board of Directors responsible for investment, education, research and development, said.
„This is the third time we have granted scholarships to pupils,“ Jitka Vaneckova from Unipetrol’s HR section said as cooperation with secondary schools falls in her agenda. Unipetrol has been opening its doors to pupils and students more and more. „Last year, nearly 500 students visited our plant in Litvinov during their school field trips. Several students are working on their papers or working part-time in our labs and study centre. Many of them then apply for studying at the University Centre UCT directly at our premises,“ Jitka Vaneckova concluded.
Unipetrol’s cooperation with Educhem goes even further. Last year it sponsored the reconstruction of the corridor on the school’s first floor. In May this year, more than twenty pupils are going to carry out their two-week practice in Unipetrol as part of their practical lessons. Representatives of both parties are preparing a lecture for the forth-grade pupils about studying opportunities at the University of Chemistry and Technology and their possible career future at the Unipetrol Group.
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The Unipetrol Group is a partner of the Chemical Olympiad as well as this anniversary of the International Chemical Olympiad in Prague and Bratislava. The Unipetrol Group is the Czech Republic’s largest refining and petrochemical company. The Unipetrol Group focuses primarily on crude oil processing, fuel distribution, and petrochemical production. In all these areas, the Group is a key player on both the Czech and Central European market. In 2005, Unipetrol became part of the PKN Orlen Group, Central Europe’s largest crude oil processor. Unipetrol is one of the Czech Republic’s most important companies in terms of turnover. It employs over 4600 people.