Today (16 April 2021), the Rector of Lodz University of Technology, Professor Krzysztof Jóźwik, and the CEO of Whirlpool Company Poland, Fabio Pommella, signed a letter of intent, which enables the beginning of an important and long-awaited cooperation between both parties. Its aim is to implement a student internship programme as part of the activities and projects conducted by the American company in Poland.
The new partner of the university is a world leader in the domestic appliance sector, manufacturer of such brands as Whirlpool, KitchenAid or Indesit. Students of Lodz University of Technology will be able not only to learn about the production process, but also to take an active part in it. The offered internships, apprenticeships and ultimately even a dual model of education are aimed at students of many faculties at different stages of education.
The Rector, Professor Krzysztof Jóźwik, appreciating the model of cooperation between the company and the university, emphasises:
– Combining education at Lodz University of Technology with internships in the world's best companies is one of our priorities. From now on, we can offer our students the opportunity to gain professional experience at Whirlpool Company Poland, a company that applies state-of-the-art technologies and designs. Graduates with such well-developed competences and experience will surely find their place on the job market soon, I strongly support initiatives linking Lodz University of Technology with international corporations, because I know very well that such cooperation brings significant benefits to both sides. For science and education conducted at the university and for innovative solutions implemented in the partner company. I am convinced that this will also be the case here.
The first willing students will be able to polish their skills and gain knowledge in the company this year.
- It is extremely important to us that we will be able to train young and talented people in Lodz, a city where our presence is constantly growing. Our goal is to cooperate in R&D and production. Currently we are strongly focusing on the clothes drying category, says Fabio Pommella, CEO of Whirlpool Company Poland. - Of course we have graduates of Lodz University of Technology in our ranks, also at the highest levels in the organization. Two of our Lodz directors are engineers with degrees from Lodz University of Technology. It is natural that we look for future personnel at this university, and among its students we seek people who will develop Whirlpool's business in the future, he adds.
The Careers Office of Lodz University of Technology will oversee the promotion of joint initiatives among students as well as the course of further cooperation.