The Awards Ceremony 2007 was held at the Embassy of Russia and chaired by His Excellency Russian Ambassador Yuri Ushakov. Event co-chair, President of the American-Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Helen Teplitskaia remarked that “Alcoa’s contribution to the US-Russian partnership through significant investment in the aluminum industry, in developing best business practices and transparency in Russia’s corporate governance is simply outstanding. Alcoa’s support of higher education in Russia and the US is exemplary and I would encourage other global companies use their empowering, hands-on approach as a benchmark.”
Receiving on behalf of Alcoa the Golden Galaxy Award Russ Wisor, Alcoa's Vice President of Government Relations, said he believes that the global experience of Alcoa helps to contribute to accelerating the development of the Russian economy: «Russia is a major player in the world markets. As Alcoa will continue to grow profitably around the world, our facilities all around the world will be poised with efficient facilities, productive equipment and trained people to capture more business as we serve those growing aluminum markets. Our investments in Russia about $570 million for these years covers a wide scope of product capability from can sheet, wheels and oil & gas products to high technology aerospace product manufacture. Our objective is to have these facilities ready to respond to the anticipated growth in Russian demand for aluminum products».
As it is noted above, the Golden Galaxy was awarded in part to Alcoa’s ongoing dedication to Russia’s future engineers and leaders in the innovative technological fields. Alcoa opened Alcoa Foundation Rooms at technical Universities in Rostov and Samara. Another important part of this Alcoa-Russia Technical Education and Support Program includes scholarships to the best students and grants to young teachers of technical departments in the leading educational institutions. Alcoa Russia provides 119 scholarships in the Russian Universities in Samara, Moscow and Rostov. By supporting the efforts of the most capable and diligent students, the program aims to help increase the prestige of technical education which was threatened by the dramatic changes in the Russian society over the last 20 years.
Mike Rembold, Engineering & Technology Director AFP Russia, who was also present for the Award Ceremony said - “This is a significant recognition of Alcoa as a multinational investing significantly in Russia's metal manufacturing area and for conducting itself professionally in the industry, in the community and in the country. It is a tribute to the hard work and effort of all of our employees in Alcoa-Russia”.
