Prague, July 21, 2011 – As follows from a survey carried out by Unipetrol, the Czechs consider chemistry to be a lucrative and perspective field (91 % of respondents) and an important part of the national economy (88 % of respondents). Furthermore, 94 % of Czechs agree that chemistry helps save human lives. Opinions of the Czech people were mapped by Unipetrol in relation with the general partnership of the International Year of Chemistry 2011 project that is run by UNESCO.
An overwhelming majority of the survey respondents consider chemistry to be an important part of everyday life. The respondents most often connected chemistry with food industry, cleaning agents, health industry or fuels. “Chemistry as a field and its utilization are evaluated very positively by the Czech population. Nine out of ten respondents consider chemistry a lucrative field. Results of this research are very promising for us since national companies in the chemistry industry have to deal with a lack of qualified professionals." says Unipetrol general director Piotr Chełmiński.
The Unipetrol research also showed that Czechs consider chemistry a mandatory part of the general knowledge of all students. 95 % of respondents agree that chemistry should be taught in elementary schools. In addition, seven out of 10 parents would encourage their child to continue studying in this field.
Supporting education of university degree professional in chemistry is also one of the priorities of Unipetrol. „Unipetrol has been a strategic partner of the Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague (ICT) for nine years. Awarding best diploma and dissertation theses and a joint development of the Study and Training Center in Most - Velebudice can serve as examples of this successful cooperation,” says Piotr Chełmiński and adds: „In the long term we also support the Educhem high school in Meziboří.”
What do the students think?
Chemistry and the possibilities of its utilization also rank positively among the Czech students. The most prestigious industrial application of chemistry is considered medicine, followed at distance by petrochemistry and fuel manufacturing.
One third of the students marked chemistry as their favorite subject. The main factors inhibiting a greater popularity of chemistry are, as viewed by students, that it is difficult and demanding to learn (42 %) or a bad teacher (25%). On the other hand, students stated that the main reasons contributing to the popularity of chemistry, as compared to other subjects, were conducting experiments during classes, importance of chemistry for everyday life, acquisition of new pieces of knowledge and explanation of the unknown.
Unipetrol conducted the research in connection with the general partnership of the International Year of Chemistry 2011 declared by UNESCO. The aim of the project is to popularize this field and to attract young people into petrochemistry. Unipetrol is supporting the realization of four chemistry fairs and workshops within the year of chemistry. The next one will take place on 18 September in Ústí nad Labem and on 23 September in Prague. For more information on the year of chemistry, see LINK.
The research for Unipetrol was conducted by the Ipsos Tambor agency using a representative sample of 470 respondents.
UNIPETROL, a.s. is a group of companies operating in the petrochemical industry in the Czech Republic. In 2005 UNIPETROL became a part of the PKN ORLEN Group, the largest oil processor in Central Europe. The UNIPETROL Group is oriented mostly towards oil processing, fuel distribution and petrochemical production. In all of these business areas the UNIPETROL Group is among the key players both in the Czech Republic and on the Central European market. The Group ranks among the leading firms in the Czech Republic in terms of its revenues, and employs almost 4,000 people.
Contact:
Mikuláš Duda
Press Office Manager
Telephone: +420 225 001 407, +420 736 502 520
E-mail: mikulas.duda@unipetrol.cz