At the start of the new academic year, the ORLEN Unipetrol Group awarded merit-based scholarships to 21 gifted students at Educhem Secondary School in Meziboří near Litvínov. They received financial support for their outstanding academic achievements and shared a total of 180,000 crowns amongst themselves. The award ceremony was complemented by a welcome for 19 new first-year students on the Applied Chemistry course. ORLEN Unipetrol is thus continuing its long-standing support for technical and science education.
The ORLEN Unipetrol Group’s collaboration with Educhem Secondary School has been ongoing for many years and encompasses not only the scholarship programme but also work placements, excursions to production sites, specialist seminars and other activities linking education with practical experience in the chemical industry.
“Technical and science subjects are crucial for the future of Czech industry. Through merit-based scholarships, we motivate students to achieve better results whilst recognising their diligence and talent. I am delighted that this year we have been able to support twenty-one students who have consistently demonstrated excellent academic results and an active approach to their education,” says Michał Chmiel, HR Director of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group.
Merit-based scholarships are awarded on the basis of results achieved during the past academic year. The assessment criteria include academic average, participation in specialist competitions and Olympiads, representing the school, and a responsible approach to study. ORLEN Unipetrol distributed a total of 180,000 crowns amongst the award-winning students.
“We greatly appreciate the long-term support that ORLEN Unipetrol provides to our students. The scholarship programme is not only a financial reward for them, but also an important motivation for their further development. Moreover, thanks to this collaboration, students gain the opportunity to experience the chemical industry first-hand and can better prepare for their future careers,” explains Helena Kripnerová, headteacher of the Educhem Secondary School in Meziboří.
The scholarship award ceremony also included a welcome for 19 new first-year students on the Applied Chemistry course. They thus symbolically began their academic journey in a field that offers a wide range of opportunities for further education and future employment.
ORLEN Unipetrol has long been committed to supporting education and fostering young people’s interest in technical and scientific disciplines. It offers upper-year students work placements in laboratories and production facilities in Záluží near Litvínov, and organises excursions, workshops and specialist seminars. Educhem graduates can find employment at the ORLEN Unipetrol Group’s production sites or continue their studies at the University Centre of the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague – Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Czech Technical University – ORLEN Unipetrol, which is located directly within the Litvínov Chempark.
The ORLEN Unipetrol Group is the largest refining and petrochemical company in the Czech Republic. It focuses on oil processing and the production, distribution, and sale of fuels and petrochemical products, particularly plastics and fertilizers. It is a major player in all these areas on the Czech and Central European markets. The ORLEN Unipetrol Group includes refineries and production plants in Litvínov and Kralupy nad Vltavou, Paramo in Pardubice, Spolana in Neratovice, REMAQ in Otrokovice, research center in Brno and the engineering design company ORLEN Projekt. ORLEN Unipetrol also owns the ORLEN network of petrol stations in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. ORLEN Unipetrol is one of the largest companies in the Czech Republic in terms of turnover. It employs over 3,300 people. ORLEN Unipetrol is also a socially responsible company, particularly in the areas of sustainable development, education, local communities, and the environment. A testament to the high quality of employee care is the prestigious international Top Employer certification, which the Group received in 2023, 2024 and 2025, along with several national awards. In 2005, ORLEN Unipetrol became part of the ORLEN Group, the largest energy company in Central Europe.
Contact: Pavel Kaidl,
spokesperson, telephone: +420 736 502 520, e-mail: pavel.kaidl@orlenunipetrol.cz