International Paint helps refurbish a classroom at the Admiral Makarov State Maritime Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia.
The project began when Gazprom Marketing & Trading (GM&T), a wholly owned subsidiary of Russian energy firm OAO Gazprom, invited a group of suppliers to consider ways to cooperate with the Academy.
A group of volunteers from International Paint in St. Petersburg teamed up with colleagues from the AkzoNobel Wood Coatings and Adhesives business to transform a classroom at the Academy and equip it with a new LCD projector, screen, computer, whiteboard, tables and chairs.
Alan Walker, International Paint’s Marine Director for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Russia said: “As well as the refurbishment we will also provide training and training materials to the Academy. We feel this is an excellent way to support the marine industry and it is an initiative we plan to continue in other countries and regions.”
Ivailo Atanasov, International Paint Marine Manager - Russia said: “By helping to improve conditions at the very place where technical operation, maintenance, control, cleaning and painting of vessels is taught and where the people who will be building and maintaining the ships of the future learn their trade, it is hoped that the safety and quality of Russian ships will be vastly improved.
Atanasov added: “It is not only important to be a market leader in marine coatings, we also want the industry to see us as part of the maritime community,” Atanasov added. “These projects give us the great opportunity not only to be a supplier, but also to be involved in the educational process and professional training of these students."