GEOTECHMIN GROUP officially launched its Scholarship Programme 2019/2020 for students from the University of Mining and Geology “St Ivan Rilski” (UMG), Sofia. The event was attended by the Chairman of the Council of Rectors Prof. Dr. Eng. Lyuben Totev, the Rector of UMG Prof. Dr. Eng. Ivaylo Koprev, the Vice Presidents of Geotechmin OOD - Ivan Vutov, PhD and Vladimir Vutov, PhD Eng., the Executive Director of Geotechmin OOD Mr Dominic Hamers, the Executive Director of Ellatzite-Med AD M.Eng. Dragomir Draganov, and other representatives of the Group’s companies.

The programme provides personal scholarships to 15 students with very good and excellent academic performance. Since the start of the academic year, they have been receiving grants from Geotechmin OOD, Ellatzite-Med AD and Geostroy AD under the charity programme Bulgarian Virtues initiated by Prof. DSc Eng. Tzolo Voutov. During the summer vacation, the students will be able to do paid internship in these companies. Yet another company from the Group - Geotrading AD opens its doors to scholarship students this autumn.

The companies support students pursuing degrees in 11 specialties at the University of Mining and Geology: Exploration, Mining and Processing of Mineral Resources; Geology and Geoinformatics; Computer Technologies in Engineering; Management of Resources and Production Systems; Power Supply and Electrical Equipment; Mechanisation of Mining Production; Automation, Information and Controlling Equipment; Mine Surveying and Geodesy; Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology; Underground Construction; Engineering Geology.

‘With this scholarship programme, we seek to support higher education excellence and help students improve their success in their studies and gain firsthand experience in a real work environment. We are always looking for young talents who can become part of our team and why not managers of enterprises and companies,’ said Mr Dominic Hamers, Executive Director of Geotechmin OOD. He emphasized the successful partnership with UMG whose contribution to creating high quality specialists is immense. In conclusion, he wished all students to have the ambition to learn as much as possible from the professionals in the companies.

‘GEOTECHMIN GROUP actually shows how science, business and education can work well together in practice. I am convinced that you will have the opportunity to get in touch with leading-edge technologies providing some of the world’s most advanced solutions. You will also be able to see how other companies are doing business around the world,’ said UMG’s Rector Prof. Dr. Eng. Ivaylo Koprev in his congratulatory speech to the scholarship students. ‘Thanks to the partnership with GEOTECHMIN GROUP, you have a chance to succeed,’ he added. Prof. Dr. Eng. Koprev remembered the first time he had entered Geotechmin OOD in 1997, when he had been impressed by the world-renowned mining software DATAMINE implemented by the company. ‘At that time it was like a spaceship, it was something incredible! Now you have the chance to see the next 50 years ahead,’ said Prof. Dr. Eng. Koprev and wished the students lots of success.

Mrs Simona Sabkova, Human Resources Director in Geotechmin OOD, familiarised students with details of the scholarship programme.

The launch of Scholarship Programme 2019/2020 is the first official event for GEOTECHMIN GROUP held in 2020 – the year when Geotechmin OOD celebrates its 30^th anniversary. This year also marks 45 years since the establishment of Ellatzite Copper Mining and Processing Plant and 21 years since the company joined GEOTECHMIN GROUP. What is more, two other milestones are to be commemorated – Geostroy AD and Geotrading AD celebrate their 15^th anniversaries.