[Sponsored Report] KNOC initiatives strive to give back to society

Employees of KNOC gather at a volunteer event that is part of the company’s broader social contribution efforts.

In 2012, the Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC) was active not only in innovation but also in social contribution activities.

In this way, it is operating a KNOC family business using a global network. As part of varied initiatives, subsidiaries and local offices will partner with social welfare institutes to strengthen local volunteer activities and fulfill KNOC’s responsibility as a global oil company.

The company also aims to strengthen its professionalism and business base by operating a social contribution public institute. To do so, KNOC is strengthening volunteer activities that fulfill the special needs of people overseas.

For instance, the company is involved in a Gulf of Mexico tornado refugee food support program, environmental education in Egypt due to pollution there and sports leagues for children with disabilities in England.

Through the SAVIA Peru Association, local affiliates have expanded charity work from regional medical and educational support to broader economic help aimed at promoting financial independence.

Meanwhile, the “Happy Together” project, which involves local residents, has also expanded. It helps during the busy farming season and strengthens the company’s business base. Joint volunteer activities also allow for strong relationships between employees at headquarters and those who work at regional offices, and reinforces mutual exchange.

Together, employees in the development and reserve sectors helped plant rice and harvest garlic. They also delivered so-called “briquettes of love.” In total, there were nine activities in 2012 involving 23 departments at headquarters and nine regional offices.

Other projects include an open house launched to help elders living alone, purchasing local food and providing funds to farmers, and a “forest experience” for neglected children to experience both rural and city culture. Scholarships worth 230 million won were distributed across 10 regions.

Closer to its core business, KNOC is also promoting its “hope energy business” to support budding energy specialists. This is because there is currently a lack of oil development specialists and thus significant competition in the business. As part of this program, the company offers scholarships to students in relevant disciplines.

Universities and company cooperative programs are also joining the effort to foster new professionals with needed skills.

Ten specialized universities have received 3 billion won to develop resources needed to train people with appropriate skills. In addition, the company has supported internships for 26 students from 15 universities at six overseas business sites for six to eight weeks.

Through a scholarship program for those studying fields relevant to oil development, KNOC provided 168 million won to 56 students with majors ranging from petrochemistry to geology.

In addition, the “Sunshine Project” aims to support the poor and enhance the image of the national oil company as it has special responsibilities as a public company.

From 2011, the initiative has provided financial support to those who struggle to pay heating costs.

KNOC plans to further develop the program as one of its major social contribution activities.

It has also upgraded heating equipment at 41 homes and conducted repairs of homes and welfare facilities 17 times.