Litvinov, September 13, 2017 – Unipetrol, the largest Czech refining and petrochemical group, helped with the reconstruction of EDUCHEM High School in Mezibori u Litvinova. The school could therefore welcome its students in the new school year in a new interior. Walls in the renovated corridor on the first floor are covered with interesting information from the world of chemistry bringing children and parents closer to Unipetrol’s refining and petrochemical activities. Nearly sixty students in Educhem are now enrolled in applied chemistry; twenty-eight of them first years.
Unipetrol has resumed its cooperation with Educhem High School. And this company was among those who helped the school survive the recent challenging period of a gradual downgrade. The new owners brought the school back to life as more and more students come to study. In the new school year, eighty students enrolled in the first year. Attracted by the vision of a career in Unipetrol, one third of them chose a chemical field of study.
„We’ve been cooperating with the school on a long-term basis – after all, almost one third of our operators in Chempark Zaluzi once sat behind its desks. We’re glad that the new owners are developing the school again and that the number of students is growing. Last year, twenty-four students enrolled in applied chemistry and this year the number rose to twenty eight. On top of that, we support students every semester through scholarships,“ says Tomas Herink, member of the Unipetrol Group’s Board of Directors responsible for investments, education, research and development.
„Cooperation with Unipetrol is mutually beneficial. Thanks to this company, we can attract students to a prospective field of study combining classes with practice. Unipetrol on the other hand has guaranteed and continuous supply of well-educated students with knowledge in the field,“ explained Pavel Prosek, statutory director of the school, adding: „Together we also organize excursions to Chempark, discussions, and workshops for students and teachers. On top of that, Unipetrol helped us equip the school with chemical aid. A well-equipped laboratory is crucial for chemistry education.“
Through its cooperation with a number of high schools and universities, Unipetrol strives to encourage the young generation’s interest in chemistry and to improve conditions in schools for attractive and high-quality chemistry education in order to ensure a stable supply of potential of employees for its refining and petrochemical plants. Only last year it welcomed almost 500 students in Chempark in Zaluzi. In 2015 in Chempark premises, it opened University Center – University of Chemistry and Technology where almost forty students are currently studying four chemical fields directly in the conditions of a production plant. This is an example of an ideal connection of theoretical and practical education.
This year Unipetrol established Unipetrol Foundation which supports high school and university students and also high schools. „Launching the Foundation is yet another contribution to the future of chemical industry, science and research. We opened an education opportunity to a widest possible number of students, regardless of their origin or social background – in a concrete form and with a real sum of six million crowns a year,“ concluded Andrzej Modrzejewski, Unipetrol Group CEO.