The ORLEN Unipetrol Group continues to support technical education on a long-term basis. At the beginning of the new school year, it again acknowledged talented students from Educhem Secondary School in Meziboří near Litvínov. Merit scholarships have been awarded to a total of 31 children this year, based on their outstanding study performance in the 2024/2025 school year. ORLEN Unipetrol has donated CZK 144,000 to recognise them. The long-term collaboration with Educhem Secondary School in Meziboří focuses on both financial support and internships for students, as well as excursions and other forms of connecting education with practical insights.
“Together with Educhem Secondary School, we seek to attract more students to technical and chemical fields each year. Merit scholarships are a tool to motivate children, encourage their development, and discover new talents. I am pleased that we could recognise over 30 talented students this year who have achieved excellent results both at school and in professional competitions and Olympiads. We believe that investing in education and motivating students has a long-term positive effect not only for the Most region but for the entire chemical industry,” said Michal Chmieł, HR director of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group, when commenting on this year’s scholarship presentation.
Merit scholarships for the 2024/2025 school year were granted to students based on each term’s evaluation. The broad scale of eligibility criteria for awarding the scholarship included the study mean levels, participation in competitions, and representation of the school. The absence of unexcused classes and disciplinary actions was also one of the conditions. ORLEN Unipetrol has distributed a total of CZK 144,000 among the 31 best students. Besides the financial reward, they also received a gift package with a writing pad, a ballpoint pen, a pencil, a data cable, a sports bottle or a towel.
During the festive presentation of scholarships, the school also welcomed 18 new first-year students of the Applied Chemistry programme. Like the scholarship holders, the new students received gift packages containing ORLEN Unipetrol promotional items and school supplies, including exercise books, writing implements, a data cable, a pencil case, a bicycle tool set, and sweets. “I am happy that we have additional students in the new school year. It is an acknowledgement to us that interest in the field of chemistry persists. It’s great to see that young people see chemistry as an up-and-coming field offering attractive employment opportunities,” says Helena Kripnerová, principal of Educhem Secondary School in Meziboří near Litvínov.
ORLEN Unipetrol is actively engaged in education, supporting young people’s interest in technical fields and the natural sciences. Educhem students in higher years are offered an opportunity for a two-week internship in laboratories in Záluží u Litvínova. The company also organises excursions, debates and workshops, explaining the world of chemistry to pupils, students, and teachers. Educhem graduates can find a job directly in manufacturing operations or continue their studies at the University Centre UCT – FME CTU – ORLEN Unipetrol.
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, logistics companies ORLEN Unipetrol Doprava and Petrotrans, and engineering design company ORLEN Projekt. The group is also the majority owner of the HC VERVA Litvínov ice hockey club.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 5,000 people. ORLEN Unipetrol is also a socially responsible company, particularly in the areas of sustainable development, education, local communities, and the environment. The prestigious international Top Employer certificate, which the group received in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and a number of national awards confirm the high quality of employee care. In 2005, ORLEN Unipetrol became part of the ORLEN Group, the largest energy company in Central Europe.
Kontakt:
Pavel Kaidl, spokesperson, phone: +420 736 502 520, e-mail: pavel.kaidl@orlenunipetrol.cz