Scholarships to increase numbers studying Engineering, Technology and Physical sciences
On April 16 KTU Faculty of Chemical Technology is organizing a competition of chemistry knowledge called Future Generation. The competition is being organized by University and social partners and is focused on 12th grade students. The best graduates will win nominal scholarships set up by companies for 2021-2022 academic year.
According to Kęstutis Baltakis, Dean of KTU CTF, the winner of the competition will be selected in each county – 10 graduates from 10 different regions will receive scholarships of 1000 Euros each.
“With the number of students entering engineering, technology and physical sciences declining every year, we have decided that this problem needs to be addressed immediately. Fewer and fewer graduates school-leaving examinations of chemistry, biology or physics. Looking at the demand for trained specialists, there will be a shortage of human resources in the future, as the big industry already lacks workers skilled in the latest technology and innovations,” professor says about the competition.
Attracting is difficult, but almost 80% get a job immediately.
According to him, companies in the chemical, cosmetics, fertilizer, concrete, biotechnology, food and related industries are uniting and promoting the popularity of chemistry / science subjects in schools.
“We had a lot of discussions with the social partners of the faculty and the concerns expressed by them are very clear. The younger generation, who are graduating, are often looking for work in the country’s major cities, which makes it increasingly difficult to attract high-level specialists or experts in their field to the regions,” explains the dean.
Students of the Faculty of Chemical Technology expand the field of competencies by completing compulsory and voluntary internships, which usually take place in social partner companies.
“We are very pleased with the strong long-term relationships with our social partners, who, even during the pandemic, not only discover, but also provide opportunities to host our students, advise them on research or dissertations and projects. According to the employability indicators of graduates, we can be proud that in the first year after studies, up to 78 percent graduates are employed according to their specialty and this is often the case in companies where they have successfully completed an internship,” explains the dean.
Equal opportunities for all
According to K. Baltakis, everyone is planning a successful career / future, the younger generation is no exception. They want to know not only what knowledge they will get, where they will work, but also to feel appreciated for their choices.
“Registration for the competition is still ongoing, so those who associate their future with chemical technology and engineering, biotechnology, applied chemistry or food science and technology should do so without delay. The total scholarship fund of social partners exceeds 20 thousand. – emphasizes the dean.
In 2020, anyone who applied, entered the study programs coordinated by KTU Faculty of Chemical Technology. All who obtained at least a minimum score, entered state-funded places.
Representatives of this faculty remind that school-leaving exam in chemistry isn’t necessary in order to study chemistry.
“When choosing study programs for our faculty, a chemistry exam is not always required. Each study program has a separate entrance score structure. We certainly have examples where students did not choose a chemistry subject in grade 10 but later joined us and successfully completed their studies. For this, we have prepared a leveling course, which helps to “catch up” with the groupmates and successfully continue their studies,” says K. Baltakys about the possibilities.
