Tuesday, July 14, 2009
THE ICIS RECRUITMENT BLOG HAS MOVED
The ICIS Chemical Business Recruitment Campaign blog has moved here.
Hemlock donates $2m for ChE lab
Dow Corning's solar joint venture firm Hemlock Semiconductor donated $2 million to purchase lab equipment for a new Chemical Engineering Technology building at Austin Peay State University (APSU) in Clarksville, TN.The money will be utilized to design, engineer and purchase the equipment for the “hands-on” lab stations where students will have the opportunity to run several chemical processes such as distillation, pump and tank operations, filtration and instrumentation.
I know for a fact how important these hands-on lab processing equipments remembering my school's wonderful (although a little outdated at that time) pilot processing lab.
The new laboratory will probably churn out eager Chemical Engineers just in time for Hemlock's planned polysilicon manufacturing facility in Clarksville, which will start in late 2012.
Biotech curriculum funding from Cargill
US agribusiness major Cargill said it has donated $10,000 to Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences to expand the school's biotechnology curriculum.
Cargill’s donation comes on the heels of the company opening a new, biobased polyols manufacturing plant on Chicago’s South side. The Torrence Avenue plant, which began production in Sept. 2008, makes Cargill’s soybean-based BiOH® brand polyols used in polyurethane products such as flexible foam cushioning for furniture, bedding, and automotive products.
The donation will also go toward two college scholarships for seniors who are planning to attend four-year schools and major in agricultural studies, said Cargill.
“Prior to receiving this generous donation from Cargill, we had limited resources and equipment to advance our biotechnology courses,” said Lucille Shaw, master teacher and FFA advisor at the school. “This goes a long way toward helping us equip our lab and support our students.”
Cargill’s donation comes on the heels of the company opening a new, biobased polyols manufacturing plant on Chicago’s South side. The Torrence Avenue plant, which began production in Sept. 2008, makes Cargill’s soybean-based BiOH® brand polyols used in polyurethane products such as flexible foam cushioning for furniture, bedding, and automotive products.
The donation will also go toward two college scholarships for seniors who are planning to attend four-year schools and major in agricultural studies, said Cargill.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Record numbers of students apply for UK chemical engineering courses!
Great news for the UK and Europe's chemical industry. According to the country's Institute of Chemical Engineers, 10,068 applications have been received for university places, 18% up on 2008.
It seems like the UK has been something of a success story in recent years. Between 2001 and 2008 the number of chemical engineering students has doubled, bucking earlier downward trends.
During our campaign we'll aim to highlight the good practice which has given these results.
According to the press release, IChemE Chief Executive, David Brown welcomed a record number of applications to study chemical engineering at UK universities and urged Government not to cap student places.
Please reply to this post if you are a student or have any experience of UK chemical engineering training.
It seems like the UK has been something of a success story in recent years. Between 2001 and 2008 the number of chemical engineering students has doubled, bucking earlier downward trends.
During our campaign we'll aim to highlight the good practice which has given these results.
According to the press release, IChemE Chief Executive, David Brown welcomed a record number of applications to study chemical engineering at UK universities and urged Government not to cap student places.
Please reply to this post if you are a student or have any experience of UK chemical engineering training.
Study: economy is floundering but it's still a good time to start a science career
How much does the public really know about science? Do you think you know more about science than the average American? Why not try this short multiple choice science quiz and compare your scores with 1,005 others who dared to take the test?
The quiz was posed by the Pew Research Center to coincide with the launch of its new study of science and its impact on society.
The research, carried out with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, found that despite the bad economy, 67% of scientists say it is either a very good time (17%) or a good time (50%) to begin a career in their scientific field. They are also pretty upbeat about state of their profession: three-quarters (76%) say this is generally a good time for science and nearly as many (73%) say it is good time for their scientific specialty.
The quiz allows you to compare your science IQ with the average scores of men and women; with college graduates as well as those who didn't attend college; with people who are your age as well as with younger and older Americans.
To read the full study, click here.
The quiz was posed by the Pew Research Center to coincide with the launch of its new study of science and its impact on society.
The research, carried out with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, found that despite the bad economy, 67% of scientists say it is either a very good time (17%) or a good time (50%) to begin a career in their scientific field. They are also pretty upbeat about state of their profession: three-quarters (76%) say this is generally a good time for science and nearly as many (73%) say it is good time for their scientific specialty.
The quiz allows you to compare your science IQ with the average scores of men and women; with college graduates as well as those who didn't attend college; with people who are your age as well as with younger and older Americans.
To read the full study, click here.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
IChemE 2009 award
The IChemE is offering a prize of $10,000 to the entrant who best demonstrates chemical engineering innovation and excellence that supports people living on less than $2 a day.
The Dhirubhai Ambani Award is sponsored by India's Reliance Industries and the $10,000 sum will be donated to support and extend the winning
project.
Last year's winner was a partnership between India's Bengal Engineering and Science University and Lehigh University in the US who developed an arsenic-filtering water treatment system.
Closing date for entries is 31 July.
Go to link for more information.
The Dhirubhai Ambani Award is sponsored by India's Reliance Industries and the $10,000 sum will be donated to support and extend the winning
project.Last year's winner was a partnership between India's Bengal Engineering and Science University and Lehigh University in the US who developed an arsenic-filtering water treatment system.
Closing date for entries is 31 July.
Go to link for more information.
US undergrads get summer work in Delaware
Nearly 50 undergraduates are spending the summer at the University of Delaware's Center for Composite Materials (CCM).
Previous summer programs have typically had 30-35 students, but more funding this year has enabled the university to increase offers.
Some students have managed to turn their research project at CCM into a senior thesis for their degree.
Click on the link to ready the article.
Previous summer programs have typically had 30-35 students, but more funding this year has enabled the university to increase offers.
Some students have managed to turn their research project at CCM into a senior thesis for their degree.
Click on the link to ready the article.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Scotland launches National Skills Academy for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries
The National Skills Academy (NSA) has announced that Scotland is to get its own NSA for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Scottish training organisations in the industry will be able to apply for accreditation from the NSA for the first time. The NSA for the process industries, which also includes polymer companies as well as any oil and gas firms that do not work offshore, is in talks with the Scottish Enterprise in an attempt to secure funding for the scheme.
There are seven academy hubs in England and Wales, funded over the past two years by a £4.5m government grant from Westminster. A Scottish hub would likely be based in Stirling.
The Scottish academy is being backed by Tom Crotty, CEO INEOS Olefins and Polymers, based at Grangemouth.
“Employers will benefit from using industry-specific training providers who understand what we want and how we want it delivered, and all to a new gold standard developed by the academy and Cogent Sector Skills Council,” says Crotty.
For more on this, click this link.
Click here for more on INEOS.
Scottish training organisations in the industry will be able to apply for accreditation from the NSA for the first time. The NSA for the process industries, which also includes polymer companies as well as any oil and gas firms that do not work offshore, is in talks with the Scottish Enterprise in an attempt to secure funding for the scheme.
There are seven academy hubs in England and Wales, funded over the past two years by a £4.5m government grant from Westminster. A Scottish hub would likely be based in Stirling.
The Scottish academy is being backed by Tom Crotty, CEO INEOS Olefins and Polymers, based at Grangemouth.
“Employers will benefit from using industry-specific training providers who understand what we want and how we want it delivered, and all to a new gold standard developed by the academy and Cogent Sector Skills Council,” says Crotty.
For more on this, click this link.
Click here for more on INEOS.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
West Virginia, US, seeks chemical workers
The Kanawha Valley chemical industry is looking for up to 200 workers to fill high-paying jobs.
They're introducing a one-year training program for those interested. After completing training, you'll be eligible for positions starting at $45,000 per year.
If you're interested, just click the link for more information.
They're introducing a one-year training program for those interested. After completing training, you'll be eligible for positions starting at $45,000 per year.
If you're interested, just click the link for more information.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Initiatives in allied industries
It's interesting to see what sort of activities are being promoted by other global industries to encourage their younger staff.
The Swiss Institute of Feed Technology has been running a special course to give graduates vocational skills relevant to a career in this sector. They undertook a seven-month preparatory correspondence course and a subsequent seven-week intensive training course in Uzwil, Switzerland. The students dealt with 21 subjects and had to pass no fewer than 12 intermediate tests.
This entitles them to the much sought-after diploma qualifying them as Feed Production Engineer.
It was truly global, with entrants from from South Africa, Spain, Finland, the United Kingdom, Ecuador, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. And also for the first time ever, Namibia and Trinidad/Tobago.
picture credit All About Feed
The Swiss Institute of Feed Technology has been running a special course to give graduates vocational skills relevant to a career in this sector. They undertook a seven-month preparatory correspondence course and a subsequent seven-week intensive training course in Uzwil, Switzerland. The students dealt with 21 subjects and had to pass no fewer than 12 intermediate tests.
This entitles them to the much sought-after diploma qualifying them as Feed Production Engineer.
It was truly global, with entrants from from South Africa, Spain, Finland, the United Kingdom, Ecuador, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. And also for the first time ever, Namibia and Trinidad/Tobago.
picture credit All About Feed
Friday, July 03, 2009
This is like Google for students!
By Lara McNamee
During my day to day searching for information for ICIS company intelligence and chemical intelligence I stumbled upon this student focused US website Go Get Papers and found that it has a vast collection of papers, questions and videos under a range of different subjects.
If you're interested in becoming a chemical engineer then this link may be of interest to you.
During my day to day searching for information for ICIS company intelligence and chemical intelligence I stumbled upon this student focused US website Go Get Papers and found that it has a vast collection of papers, questions and videos under a range of different subjects.
If you're interested in becoming a chemical engineer then this link may be of interest to you.
Henkel helps students meet Nobel Prize winners
It's not every day you get to rub shoulders with Nobel Prize Winners but 60 lucky chemistry students have been doing just that for the past week.
Germany's Henkel helped to take the young scientists to Lindau on the shores of Lake Constance for the annual Nobel Prize-Winner Conference that was first held in 1951. They were among some 580 students from 67 countries who had convened to discuss sustainable chemistry during the week-long meeting from June 28 to July 3.
While there, Henkel also invited them to an exclusive dinner where they could talk to two of the Nobel Prize winners and members of the company's senior management. The applicants - some of the most promising scientific talents - were put forward by their universities and research institutions.
“Forging personal contacts with committed students is of great importance for us. The dinner provided a good opportunity to get to know a range of young yet already highly qualified scientists from around the world,” said Jessica Thiel, global head of talent, leadership and learning.
Germany's Henkel helped to take the young scientists to Lindau on the shores of Lake Constance for the annual Nobel Prize-Winner Conference that was first held in 1951. They were among some 580 students from 67 countries who had convened to discuss sustainable chemistry during the week-long meeting from June 28 to July 3.
While there, Henkel also invited them to an exclusive dinner where they could talk to two of the Nobel Prize winners and members of the company's senior management. The applicants - some of the most promising scientific talents - were put forward by their universities and research institutions.
“Forging personal contacts with committed students is of great importance for us. The dinner provided a good opportunity to get to know a range of young yet already highly qualified scientists from around the world,” said Jessica Thiel, global head of talent, leadership and learning.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Singapore Gets It Right on Education
By John Richardson
Are you ever glad you are more towards the end rather than the beginning of your career – and just because the rose garden or the golf course are beckoning?
This has certainly been the case for me in working with (and I genuinely mean with – not just the false man management-speak meaning of the word) undergraduates from the National University of Singapore’s Chemical Engineering Department.
ICIS training has employed interns from the NUS for the last three years.
I have been impressed (and also mightily relieved that I won’t be competing with them for jobs!) at the students’ ability to think outside the box on all the big issues from the economy to environmental challenges. It almost goes without saying, given the quality of science-based education in Singapore, that they also possess excellent chemicals engineering knowledge.
This is the result of a coordinated government policy aimed at supporting the Singapore chemical industry’s need for a constant stream of new talent.
The NUS runs its degree course in chemical engineering with Temasek Polytechnic offering a diploma.
And on Jurong Island, where Singapore’s chemicals production hub is located, the Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences carries out process and application research.
When you talk to undergraduates you realise that apart from being scientifically literate (not a particularly widespread aptitude back in my home country of the UK) they are, as I said, aware of the environmental issues.
They want to make a contribution to finding solutions to this problem, rather than ignorantly condemning an industry which is essential to our modern-day way of life.
It’s also worth mentioning the work of the Economic Development Board in upgrading the skills of industry employees as part of efforts to keep people working in chemicals during the current downturn.
Details about Singapore’s success in training chemicals engineering – and keeping them in the industry – will be provided over the next few weeks.
Are you ever glad you are more towards the end rather than the beginning of your career – and just because the rose garden or the golf course are beckoning?
This has certainly been the case for me in working with (and I genuinely mean with – not just the false man management-speak meaning of the word) undergraduates from the National University of Singapore’s Chemical Engineering Department.
ICIS training has employed interns from the NUS for the last three years.
I have been impressed (and also mightily relieved that I won’t be competing with them for jobs!) at the students’ ability to think outside the box on all the big issues from the economy to environmental challenges. It almost goes without saying, given the quality of science-based education in Singapore, that they also possess excellent chemicals engineering knowledge.
This is the result of a coordinated government policy aimed at supporting the Singapore chemical industry’s need for a constant stream of new talent.
The NUS runs its degree course in chemical engineering with Temasek Polytechnic offering a diploma.
And on Jurong Island, where Singapore’s chemicals production hub is located, the Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences carries out process and application research.
When you talk to undergraduates you realise that apart from being scientifically literate (not a particularly widespread aptitude back in my home country of the UK) they are, as I said, aware of the environmental issues.
They want to make a contribution to finding solutions to this problem, rather than ignorantly condemning an industry which is essential to our modern-day way of life.
It’s also worth mentioning the work of the Economic Development Board in upgrading the skills of industry employees as part of efforts to keep people working in chemicals during the current downturn.
Details about Singapore’s success in training chemicals engineering – and keeping them in the industry – will be provided over the next few weeks.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
BASF offers support and experience
By Lara McNamee
German major BASF is really making a firm commitment to students by offering the chance to complement their studies with practical experience within the company and the possibility of employment at the end.
If you have considered writing your bachelor, diploma or master thesis at BASF, then it states on the company website that it will not only provide you with advice and support all through your research project, but will also support you whichever career you chose to embark on within the company.
But BASF doesn’t stop there! The company also offers students the chance of getting a job in their vacation period.
Whether you want to work in R&D, engineering and production or in a business and corporate function, BASF says that there is a place for you: a "career-building experience" and a great "learning tool from people already in the trade".
If this is the kind of opportunity you are looking for, then BASF check out this link.
Has anyone ever got a job via this route? If so then please let us know...
German major BASF is really making a firm commitment to students by offering the chance to complement their studies with practical experience within the company and the possibility of employment at the end.
If you have considered writing your bachelor, diploma or master thesis at BASF, then it states on the company website that it will not only provide you with advice and support all through your research project, but will also support you whichever career you chose to embark on within the company.
But BASF doesn’t stop there! The company also offers students the chance of getting a job in their vacation period.
Whether you want to work in R&D, engineering and production or in a business and corporate function, BASF says that there is a place for you: a "career-building experience" and a great "learning tool from people already in the trade".
If this is the kind of opportunity you are looking for, then BASF check out this link.
Has anyone ever got a job via this route? If so then please let us know...
Deadline looms for Bayer scholarships
The clock is ticking for students wishing to apply for the Bayer Fellowship Program... applications for the scheme should be submitted before 31 July.
According to the German producer's website, the program is aimed at those studying biology, biochemistry, biotechnology and biological process engineering, chemistry and chemical engineering, pharmaceutics and physics.
"The Bayer Fellowship Program enables young people with scientific ambitions to realize individual projects and study plans both within and outside of Germany through the granting of scholarships."
The Board of Trustees of the Bayer Science and Education Foundation previously awarded scholarships totaling €142,000 to 21 students.
Applicants should have good final school marks as well as a particularly good intermediate diploma or an above-average bachelor’s exam.
To download the application form, visit here or to read the rules and conditions, click here.
According to the German producer's website, the program is aimed at those studying biology, biochemistry, biotechnology and biological process engineering, chemistry and chemical engineering, pharmaceutics and physics.
"The Bayer Fellowship Program enables young people with scientific ambitions to realize individual projects and study plans both within and outside of Germany through the granting of scholarships."
The Board of Trustees of the Bayer Science and Education Foundation previously awarded scholarships totaling €142,000 to 21 students.
Applicants should have good final school marks as well as a particularly good intermediate diploma or an above-average bachelor’s exam.
To download the application form, visit here or to read the rules and conditions, click here.
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