To mark the International Year of Chemistry, as proclaimed by the United Nations (UN), ORLEN Lietuva granted financial support to Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda universities in the amount of 30 thousand Litas for each. Representatives of the universities say that the support granted on the company’s initiative will allow improving the quality of the studies, acquiring additional practical skills and performing scientific researches.
‘Science and business must keep in step with each other to ensure sustainable human development and effective environmental solutions. We believe that our initiative which propagates the science of chemistry and is patronized by the Lithuanian National Commission for UNESCO will contribute to the development and solutions’, said Ireneusz Fąfara, General Director of ORLEN Lietuva.
Habil. Dr. Vytenis Zabukas, Professor of Department of Technological Processes of Faculty of Marine Engineering of Klaipėda University, noted that the funds will be used to acquire the equipment which will facilitate researches in safe seaborne transportation of petroleum products, to integrate the development of the marine sector studies and business centers. ‘Students will be able to use the specialized library of ORLEN Lietuva, consult with the company’s employees when writing their thesis papers, and undergo practical studies. Such combination of theory and practice is an excellent example for other science and business institutions’, said prof. V. Zabukas.
Associate prof. Dr. Linas Miknius, Pro Dean of Department of Organic Chemistry of Kaunas University of Technology, said that the financial support from ORLEN Lietuva will be used for researches in conversion of used vehicle tires to liquid fuel. ‘Our purpose is to develop the technological equipment which would ensure profitable production in the future. At the time being, we make attempts to progress from laboratory up to pilot start-up of the device converting tires to fuel.’
Prof. Habil. Dr. Aivaras Kareiva, Dean of Faculty of Chemistry of Vilnius University, told that certain audio equipment has already been acquired and installed at prof. Kazys Daukšas’ lecture hall for the support granted by the Mažeikiai company, and that the support is also intended for publication of the Lithuanian History of Chemistry and the Encyclopedia.
‘The additional support received from the business entity has enabled us to raise the level of scientific researches by providing scientists and lecturers with the possibility to improve their qualification. This way, we will be able to attract smart young people and prevent them from emigration who, in their turn, will bring the intellectual potential acquired in university to Lithuania’s chemical enterprises. The feedback will bring benefit; such investment always pay back’, said prof. Habil. Dr. V. Zabukas.
The General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) has adopted a resolution proclaiming the year of 2011 as the International Year of Chemistry. ORLEN Lietuva has joined the initiative with its program which propagates the science of chemistry and which is patronized by the Lithuanian National Commission for UNESCO.
The series of events marking the Internal Year of Chemistry and taking place all over Lithuania regards the history of the science of chemistry, the role of women in chemical analyses, the perspectives of the science of chemistry, sustainable development, the impact of the science on society and economy.
Universities in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda are inviting all senior schoolchildren to a chemistry lesson on 25 November, Friday. A special educational program will reveal to the schoolchildren the future and importance of chemistry in solving the most critical problems of the modern world.