WWF QCA scholarship scheme in partnership with Tioxide Europe

Citation

(1999), "WWF QCA scholarship scheme in partnership with Tioxide Europe", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 28 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.1999.12928aaf.004

WWF QCA scholarship scheme in partnership with Tioxide Europe

WWF/QCA scholarship scheme in partnership with Tioxide Europe

Keywords Education, Environment, Paints, Tioxide, WWF

Business in the UK is rapidly increasing its environmental awareness and is beginning to integrate environmental policies into business practice. Growing numbers of companies are developing corporate environmental reports, while some companies have begun to use business tools such as eco-audits, life-cycle analysis and sustainable development indicators. Awareness of environmental issues in business and the workplace has now become a key skill for school-leavers.

The CBI, the Institute of Directors and many employers are also calling for the need to improve life skills. Education needs to prepare young people for taking a positive role in a responsible workforce. To address these needs WWF and QCA have joined up with Tioxide Europe Limited to offer a student scholarship scheme, open to advanced GNVQ Science and "A" Level Biology/Environmental Science students.

The aim of the scholarship scheme is to engage students and business in open dialogue about the relationship between business, industry and the environment. It provides an opportunity for students to communicate with Tioxide about environmental management and the impact of man-made chemicals on the environment.

Students from across the country are provided with computerised background information on the issues and are invited to take part in a national Internet debate with Tioxide, industry experts and environmentalists. Students then complete a competition assignment linked to the debate and the scholarship winners are selected to attend a one-week residential course at the Tioxide plant in Grimsby where they will investigate the business practice of the company first hand.

The PartnersWWFWWF is an international environmental organisation with national groups around the world. Launched in 1961, WWF has supported over 5,000 projects in 130 countries and has invested over £230 million in conservation over the last ten years. WWF is committed to a broadly based environmental education programme and has generated over 200 resources for home and school to support curriculum development and community projects.

Tioxide Europe LtdTioxide is an international chemicals company which is a leading manufacturer of titanium dioxide, the white pigment used in paint, plastic and paper. The company is committed to environmental improvement and openness about its environmental policy and impacts. Tioxide Europe's Grimsby plant has achieved ISO 14001 and EMAS registration.

How it worksStudents who registered for the scheme received a video on the chemical industry and the Chemicals and Life Data Bulletin ­ a CDROM containing editable text, graphics and data all about the relationship between the chemical industry and the environment. Students were able to use these resources to familiarise themselves with environmental management and sustainability issues at Tioxide. It also prepared them for the next stage of the scheme ­ the Internet Discussion Forum.

The Internet Discussion ForumThis ran between 12 October and 18 December 1998; WWF and Tioxide ran the Internet debate which brought together Tioxide staff, environmentalists and students from all over the country to discuss the chemicals industry, the environment and sustainable development. Using the latest information technology, students from all over the UK had the opportunity to debate the issues, put questions to environmental and industry experts and to voice their opinions. This was a novel educational partnership between industry, environmentalists and the education sector.

Scholarship competitionIn order to qualify for the Scholarship, students were asked to write 500 words by 18 December 1998 in answer to the following question: How do you think chemical manufacturers should use science to assist in the protection of the environment? Use the Tioxide and chemicals industry case studies to illustrate the issues involved. Entries were judged with particular reference to Key Skills, especially Communications and Information Technology. Ten Scholars were then to be selected on 15 January 1999 for a five-day Residential Course at Tioxide.

Residential Course ­ Challenge WeekThis course will take place at Tioxide between 15-19 March 1999. The Scholars will take part in a real life investigation into Tioxide while developing social and communication skills. Students can find themselves making pigment in the laboratory, measuring water pollution in the Humber and interviewing local residents. The week ends with student team presentations to Tioxide management and senior WWF and QCA personnel. There are cash prizes for three or four of the top student scholars and their schools ­ £100 per student, £250 for Internet provision at their schools.

AwardsIn March 1999 the announcement and presentation of the awards will be made to the top scholars who will also go through to the QCA Employers Scholarship Scheme Awards Ceremony in London.

Details are available from WWF. Tel: +44 01483 426444; Fax: +44 01483 426409.