OREANDA-NEWS. December 09, 2009. Uralkali (Berezniki, Perm Territory) has awarded 17 scholarships to the best students at the Perm State Technical University (PSTU) and its Berezniki-based Department (PSTU BD).The Uralkali Scholarship scheme has become part of the Company’s traditions.  For three years now Uralkali has awarded scholarships, under the partnership agreement with PSTU and PSTU BD, to their most successful and talented students. Under the Uralkali Personal Scholarships rules, the young people eligible are junior and senior students receiving education at PSTU and PSTU BD in the professional areas most needed for the Company. Uralkali Personal Scholarships have been awarded to 99 students with outstanding academic and research records from the Mining and Oil and Chemical Engineering departments. The main criteria for selecting nominees include high academic performance, research activities relevant to Uralkali's core business areas, successful practical training, and professional dedication. Personal Scholarships are provided on a semester basis. From 2008, the amount of a Personal Scholarship has been 1,500 rubles a month.During 2006–2008 Uralkali allocated about 25 million rubles to PSTU and PSTU BD. The money was used to renovate lecture halls and laboratories, establish the Department for Technology and Integrated Mechanization of Mineral Deposit Development, publish education materials, and provide personal scholarships and grants. In 2009, in spite of the difficult economic situation, the Company continues to implement its programme of cooperation with these higher educational institutions.

Elena Samsonova, HR Director, Uralkali:

“Working with promising students at technical educational institutions is part of our strategic programme for personnel development. Our Company has ambitious plans for developing and expanding production. For their implementation, we need not only new technologies, but also, most importantly, talented and proactive specialists. This is why, despite the difficult economic situation, Uralkali continues to cooperate with the leading technical higher education institution in the Perm Territory, the Perm State Technical University. This year, under the partnership agreement, our Company has allocated more than 9 million rubles to PSTU and its Berezniki-based department.”