Prague, June 5, 2019 – Unipetrol has been a strategic partner of the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague (VŠCHT Praha) since 2002. Top representatives of both parties have signed an agreement of cooperation for three more years. The value of the agreement is CZK 3.9 million. Since the beginning of cooperation, Unipetrol has already contributed almost CZK 30 million to the University’s education and development activities.
“Our cooperation with Unipetrol has just come of age because the first agreement was signed in 2002. After many years of cooperation, we have returned to a multi-year model which will enable us to better plan joint activities,” says Karel Melzoch, Rector of the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, adding: “Specifically, we want to strengthen the food and water technology programmes in the next academic year because of huge demand for these issues due to droughts in the Ústí Region. Chemists with expanded economy knowledge are sought after these days, too, and we also plan to offer a programme in English specialising in chemical industry management.”
“I think that the many years of cooperation culminated in 2015 with the establishment of the University Centre of the University of Chemistry and Technology directly on our production premises in Litvínov- Záluží. Students acquire new knowledge directly in the heart of the largest chemical plant in the Czech Republic and they have easier access to linking their theoretical insights with practice. We offer both bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes. They can also use the laboratories of the research and education centre, UniCRE, right next to the University Centre. Our employees can benefit from this collaboration, too, because they can supplement the necessary specialised education right on the site,” Tomáš Herink, a member of the Board of Directors of Unipetrol who is responsible for investments, research and development, adds.
Unipetrol’s donation is annually used to cover the organisation of a chemistry Olympiad for secondary school students or an instruction programme called “A Lesson in Modern Chemistry”. A special team goes to primary schools and shows both to teachers and pupils that a chemistry lesson can be a lot of fun. Our cooperation also includes other educational projects promoting chemistry among the general public and raising student and children interest in this subject. In addition, financial donations are annually awarded to the authors of the best graduate theses (Bachelor’s and Master’s). The VŠCHT Praha-Unipetrol collaboration also focuses on popularisation of chemistry and on raising the interest of children and students in chemical fields. “For us, VŠCHT is also a source of future employees – developers, researchers and the next generation of managers,” Tomáš Herink adds.
Beyond its activities, VŠCHT also organised the 50th annual International Chemistry Olympiad in Prague and Bratislava last year. It was attended by 300 secondary school students from 76 countries and Unipetrol was there again as a main partner.
University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague combines tradition with the latest state-of-the-art nano- and biotechnologies and other progressive trends and fields in research and development. Its excellent international reputation and top-class instrumentation and equipment open up opportunities for students who can get involved in research projects of their choice. They can also choose from a variety of study stays abroad. The University is also a gateway to prestigious and well-paid job opportunities in the Czech Republic and abroad.
Contact:
Michal Janovský, spokesperson for VŠCHT Praha
Tel.: +420 733 690 543, e-mail: michal.janovsky@unipetrol.cz
The Unipetrol Group is the largest refinery and petrochemical company in the Czech Republic. It focuses primarily on crude oil processing, distribution and sale of fuel and petrochemical products — particularly plastics and fertilizers. In all these fields, the group is a key player on both the Czech and Central European market. The Unipetrol Group includes refineries and production plants in Litvínov and Kralupy nad Vltavou, Paramo with the Mogul brand in Pardubice and Kolín, Spolana in Neratovice, and two research centres in Litvínov and Brno. Unipetrol also owns the Benzina network of petrol stations with 412 stations, which is the largest chain in the Czech Republic. Unipetrol is one of the largest companies in the Czech Republic in terms of turnover. The group created revenue of over CZK 130 billion last year and employs more than 4,700 people. In 2005, Unipetrol became part of the PKN Orlen Group, the largest crude oil processor in Central Europe.
Contact:
Pavel Kaidl, spokesperson for Unipetrol Group
Tel.: +420 736 502 520, e-mail: pavel.kaidl@unipetrol.cz
