Published: 09.09.2021
For his teaching activity, the Dean of the Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice was awarded the prestigious ministerial medal by the Minister of Education. The class 2 medal of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports was awarded today to Prof. Petr Kalenda at the ceremony held in the Senate of the Czech Republic. The Dean supports and actively participates in events the purpose of which is to raise students’ interest in technical fields and in the study of chemistry.
In the long term, Prof. Ing. Petr Kalenda, CSc. focuses on the promotion of chemistry among elementary and secondary school students. Through his active participation, the Dean of the Faculty of Chemical Technology supports important competitions for elementary and secondary school students and deepens the faculty’s cooperation with secondary schools in educational activities for both students and teachers.
“This award means a lot to me. It is really important to support young people’s interest in technical fields and their passion for science from young school age. Many children who were recruited in secondary schools or who took part in our competitions have become successful students or graduates,” says the Dean of the Faculty of Chemical Technology Petr Kalenda.
The Dean was one of the founders of the nationwide competition Search for the best young chemist of CR which is one of the most important popularization events in the field of chemistry in the Czech Republic. The competition is intended for students in the ninth grade of elementary schools and was originally established in cooperation between the faculty and the company Synthesia, a.s. in order to promote chemistry in the region and gradually has become a national event. The last year of the competition included more than 10 thousand students from all over the country. The final round and the announcement of national winners is traditionally held at the Faculty of Chemical Technology and is also attended by the directors of leading Czech and Slovak companies active in the field of chemistry.
Prof. Kalenda is also actively involved in the Festival of science and technology for children and youth organized since 1992 by the Association for Youth, Science and Technology (AMAVET, z.s.) together with the Pardubice Region and the University of Pardubice. The prizes in the area of chemistry in the Junior (elementary schools) and Senior (secondary schools) categories are awarded under the patronage of the Dean. For several decades, the Dean Petr Kalenda has been a member of the jury of the competition responsible for the evaluation of the best projects and has been actively involved in motivating young elementary and secondary school students in chemistry through specific scientific and technical projects and in supporting the development of young researchers’ creative activities. Today, a number of award-winning young scientists are successful graduates of the Faculty of Chemical Technology and sought-after experts in the field of chemistry.
“I would like to congratulate the Dean and thank for his contribution. The award is important for the faculty but also for the whole university. It is good that systematic support for technical disciplines is appreciated by the state,” said Prof. Libor Čapek, Vice-Rector for Science and Development, University of Pardubice.
Prof. Petr Kalenda (59) graduated in 1985 from the University of Chemical Technology in Pardubice, field of study Technology of Polymers Manufacturing and Processing. He works in the Department of Paints and Organic Coatings, Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Macromolecular Materials, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice. In 2007 he was appointed professor in the field of study Technology of Macromolecular Substances. As a scientist he specializes in the study of molecular and supermolecular structures, chemistry of film-producing substances, organic coatings and anti-corrosion pigments for ecological coating systems which have a broad range of applications. Recently, he has promoted professional cooperation with the application sphere through the implementation of a significant project Partnership for Chemistry. From 2007 to 2015 he was the Vice-Dean for pedagogy and since 2015 he has been the Dean of the Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice.
Pardubice, 24th August 2021
Mgr. Martina Macková
PR Department, University of Pardubice
