Professor Agnieszka Zakrzewska-Bielawska, Dean of the Faculty of Organization and Management, is delighted with the new space, especially with the fact that it is intended for both traditional learning and learning that incorporates modern methodologies.
'We are extremely happy to have companies cooperating with us, and in this building their presence is clearly visible,' the Dean said.
Japan Tobacco International is a leading international tobacco company operating in 130 countries around the world, with a workforce of 46,000. In Poland, the company counts some 3,500 employees. Stary Gostków near Łódź is the site of its largest factory, or four factories, where its different products are manufactured. For many years, JTI has been certified by the Top Employers Institute as the Best Employer in Poland, Europe (2nd place in 2023), and globally.
At Lodz University of Technology, maintaining positive relations with global companies with branches in Poland is not taken for granted. Tomasz Szelągowski, Engineering Director at JTI, also stressed the importance of cooperating with the academia,
'Our plants in Poland account for 25 percent of the entire JTI corporation's output. We want to continue to grow, which is why we invest in knowledge. We provide opportunities for students to gain experience and apply their acquired knowledge in real-life manufacturing.
The company requires management and engineering staff. Tomasz Kuropatwiński, production manager at the newest factory of innovative tobacco products, puts great value on the knowledge of Lodz University of Technology students and interns. As he pointed out,
'We are currently implementing a production management system , where technical skills are particularly useful.
The ribbon cutting part of the official opening was performed by dr hab. inż. Andrzej Romanowski, Vice-Rector for Education, prof. of TUL, prof. Agnieszka Zakrzewska-Bielawska, Faculty Dean, Tomasz Szelągowski, Director, and Mateusz Felinowski, Head of P&C (People & Culture). Doc. Marek Sekieta, whose efforts have brought a number of companies to the OiZ Faculty, and Marta Cywińska, TUL graduate, currently associated with the P&C department, assisted.
JTI's cooperation with Lodz University of Technology has not been limited to branding alone. It started 10 years ago and has also included the EEIA and the Mechanical Engineering Faculties. 15% of the company's workforce are TUL graduates. Every year, 20 students from our university complete their internships there. JTI participates in the Diamentowe Praktyki program, provides training in cooperation with the Careers Office, and is often represented at different events. Students hold the company in high regard. JTI took 2nd place in the competition for the Best Employer of the Łódzkie Voivodeship, and was also awarded by the student community in the category Partner Zewnętrzny.