Alumni

František Plát

František Plát graduated in Chemical Engineering from University of Chemistry and Technology (UCT) in Prague. After defending his diploma thesis in 2007, he completed an internship at Daimler AG. He continued his research on automotive catalytic converters in the framework of PhD study. He has been working in Emission Laboratory Škoda Auto since 2011. He currently deals with Real Driving Emissions (RDE) measurement. Gradually, he built completely new competence and team of experts within Škoda Auto. Several other chemical engineers found employment in the newly formed working group. He actively develops collaboration with UCT by internships, PhD program and projects co-financed by Škoda Auto.
To study at UCT he notes: "Chemical engineering engaged me as an interesting combination of physical chemistry, mathematics, physics and common sense. Over time, I especially appreciate the fact that the study of chemical engineering provided me not only a lot of knowledge, but also a systematic approach to problem solving and a link to technical practice. Chemical engineering approach can be widely used in a number of other fields and directly leads to the application of IT tools for automation and algorithmization. PhD study at Department of Chemical Engineering is full time research work. PhD student is led to independence and management of his activities. Research projects often take place in collaboration with an industrial partner. The graduates are prepared for both careers in research and in industry."

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Petr Špás

"UCT Prague was the clear choice for me. I liked chemistry and math and even that time (1998) UCT Prague was considered one of the best universities in the Czech republic. Retrospectively it was the best option I could have chosen. During my master studies I spent two semesters at Kansas State University and one semester at Chemical Engineering University at Moscow. After graduating I continued on my PhD in Germany at Otto von Guericke Universität in Magdeburg.

Show me another university which can give you so much experience 😊!

With the chemical engineering background I had a very broad spectrum of opportunities how I could continue with my career.

I applied at P&G plant in Rakovnik because that was the best employer for graduates in Czech republic. My career took very fast path there and I quickly succeeded in several assignments – project manager, packing department manager or logistic department manager – acquiring new skills every day. The most crucial skills were communication, listening, leading teams or facing complex problems. My learning curve was very steep but it required a lot of effort.

After 3 year in P&G I was hired to Pepsico as a plant manager. It was again very challenging step but with great effort and will to learn and improve I was able to be bring a lot of value to the new employer and at the same time get a lot of new experiences and skills.

After another 3 years I have got other opportunity to lead family owned frozen bakery operation as manufacturing director in La Lorraine. I was hired to transform this small on effort based organization to place where we still value effort, but where we can rely on well-defined processes and structure. Under my governance we quadrupled our production volume to 100 thousand tons of bakery, pastry, Viennoiserie per year and we have grown to multiple site business, employing little less than 1000 people and going from negative profit to profit of tens of million Euro a year.   

Now with 8 years under my belt with La Lorraine and well balanced life (I am enthusiastic climber). I am looking for new challenges which life can cast on me."

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