Graduation for First Hankook Dunaújváros Students

The first rubber technology engineers studying under the joint education programme run by Hankook Tire Hungary Ltd. and Dunaújváros College have graduated. The tyre maker reports the ten graduates received their diplomas at a ceremony held in February.

Hankook Tire Hungary Ltd. and Dunaújváros College, located near the Korean manufacturer’s European factory in central Hungary, launched the joint Rubber Technology Engineer programme in Hungary in February, 2009. Commenting on the programme, Hankook states it was set up to meet industry demand for technically trained personnel in Hungary and is aimed at providing engineers with theoretical and practical knowledge of tyre manufacturing. The training includes development, management, planning and diverse manufacturing technologies, with the theoretical component held at the university’s campus and practical training conducted at  Hankook’s European factory. Hankook’s own engineers assisted in the setting up of the programme and have served as coaches during the practical seminars.

“It is a dream for a college that a respected international corporation offers cooperation in the higher education of professionals of the next generation”, said Jenő Szabó, deputy dean of Dunaújváros College. ”Hankook Tire has assumed to finance the studies of ten graduates annually, which basically ensures the profitability and success of the course for our college.”

“Hankook Tire is extending its European factory in Hungary by employing 700 new employees. Not only is it an investment to the factory itself, but it is also an investment into education”, added Sang Il Lee, managing director of Hankook Tire Hungary Ltd. and head of the Dunaújváros factory. “We are proud that with this engagement we can return something to the community as well. This investment helps to further qualify our new technical staff for future challenges their jobs will require. We are glad to greet the first graduates who successfully completed the rubber technology engineer programme. We hope that they will profit of from the acquired knowledge and skills in their career and professional development at our company.”

”For me it was a very special opportunity as that time I was a newcomer at the company”, says Andrea Hartó, the only woman in the group of ten graduates. “I am a chemical engineer and I work in the mixing area, and thanks to this education I acquired a good understanding of all the other processes and of tyre manufacturing in general. Besides the deep knowledge I also got a post graduate degree of rubber technology engineer which is officially recognised in Hungary.”

Hankook Tire says its partnership with Dunaújváros College has started to pay off with the graduation of the first ten engineers, and it reports the cooperation is “successfully running on” as several new students have already applied to begin a course of studies in September 2010. The tyre maker describes investment in Hungary’s economy as “key to future success”, and notes investment in people and their education is the “best contribution to society”. Upon announcing the ten students’ graduation, Hankook Tire Europe re-affirmed its commitment to further developing the Dunaújváros factory and its staff.