Education

In line with its corporate social responsibility initiatives, Merck in Pakistan has always been keen to make its due contribution to social development, particularly, in projects related to health care.

In 2006 Merck (Pvt.) Ltd. executed complete renovation of two lecture halls at King Edward Medical University, Lahore on modern lines with state of the art technological equipment to provide medical students a world-class learning atmosphere.

The renovation included not just installing latest technology, but also, restoring the lost grandeur of centuries old architecture. Lecture halls were equipped with overhead projectors, multi media projectors, electronically operated screen, VCR, DVD player and custom build teakwood podiums with built in desktop computer and flat screen LCD monitor. However, this was not the end, as keeping in mind the extreme hot weather conditions experienced during the summer months, both lecture halls were outfitted with split air-conditioning units to make learning for students more comfortable as well as the overhauling of electrical re-wiring and lighting, microphone, amplifying and speaker system thus providing state-of-the art visual and audio facilities.

Preserving 150-year old history of the medical college was the challenge for the organization, which was achieved in great style and appreciated by the management of King Edward Medical University.

The subject of Environment is multidimensional in nature. The solution of environmental and related problems therefore requires the efforts of all including Government organizations, social scientists, medically qualified personals, engineers, microbiologists, chemists, biologists and agriculturists. Medical professionals although very much concerned with the health of the community, however they alone cannot effectively solve environmental health problems. Environment pollution is a mixture of pollutants comprising of water, noise, air and solid waste etc.

Merck in Pakistan being a good corporate citizen is concerned about health, safety, security and environment not only for its employees but also the community. In 2004 Merck had given an assignment to Institute of Environmental Studies (IES), University of Karachi to check the drinking water quality of Karachi. A detailed survey was done and was found out that 95% areas of Karachi received contaminated water through pipelines. Apart from that 70% bottled water sold in the mega polis was also not fit for drinking.

During the study the Management of Merck found out that there is no reference lab in Karachi from where one can get the drinking water tested on reasonable rates. The so-called reference labs are not professionally & technically managed whether Government controlled or privately owned labs.
 
Feeling its corporate responsibility Merck decided to strengthen the existing lab facility of Institute of Environmental Studies, University of Karachi. This has helped not only the concerned people but has also facilitated the students to get the advance knowledge of water testing through dedicated water testing instruments and kits.

The project was named Merck Lab was started in September 2006 and was completed in December 2006. It is a well-equipped lab with a facility of any reference lab in the world. It can test not only microbiological contamination in drinking water and wastewater but can also provide chemical testing facility including heavy metals.

The inauguration ceremony was held in the February 2007 and after that was handed over to the Institute for education and research purposes. This project highlights the aims and objectives of Merck to its commitment towards the Environment.

Organised yearly in Karachi for O-Level students together with Rotary Club, Merck in Pakistan sponsors the first 3 position holders with 2 flight tickets each to a historical site in Pakistan.
In 2005, 2 students who won first position in the past years were sponsored by Merck to participate in an international school debate in Istanbul, where, they represented Pakistan very well.

Being the only multinational and the biggest company in Quetta, a contribution for the upgrading of the education facility in the poorest province of the country was necessary.
A donation by Merck through The Citizen Foundation for the construction of two Schools (Primary + Secondary Levels) from Grade 1 to 10 and one College (Grade 11+12) was the start. The both schools are being built in the city of Quetta and will accommodate around 1300 students in front of the Merck production site at the Ayub stadium. Additionally two secondary schools have been donated to be constructed in front of the new SOS children village under construction The Citizen Foundation is an expert in the construction and in running schools.
The Primary section of one High School opposite Merck Quetta Factory became operational in March 2007. Admissions in the primary section have concluded and classes have commenced fully since April 2007. Secondary section is currently under construction and would be completed by mid of the year.

Quetta does not have a SOS Village. The construction of the village has commenced, since then sponsors from abroad have come up with the necessary funds. With our help, SOS managed to procure land from Government of Balochistan for this purpose, which will be a mega project to be completed over the next two years.

The Governor of Balochistan wanted to start with the SOS village, even with one home, and started with 1 mother with 12 kids. However, the number has grown since then and now there are two homes with 2 mothers and 31 kids. The Government is paying the rent of the houses in Quetta and Merck has sponsored the necessary furniture as well as education expenses. The administration in the factory is bringing kids to the medical clinic at the factory, where necessary, and generally looking after how the kids are doing.