Chemistry Fabrication Lab: A High School That Operates Like a Chemical Plant

A vocational high school operating like a chemical factory is selling its products under the Melisa brand. At the Chemical Technologies Production Facility established in a vocational high school in Tekirdağ, liquid hand soap, surface cleaner, bleach, hand antiseptic, liquid hand cleaning foam and cologne are being sold to public institutions and organizations. School Principal Yusuf Budak: "We have applied to the Turkish Patent and Trademark Institute for the registration of our brand named Melisa. Additionally, we have obtained our ISO certificates and CE manufacturing certificate." TEKİRDAĞ (AA) - SÜLEYMAN COŞKUN BOZYEL - Students at Çorlu Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in Tekirdağ are producing 5 types of cleaning supplies and cologne at their school. The Chemical Technologies Production Facility was established by the administration 2 months ago at Çorlu Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, located in the school district on Bülent Ecevit Boulevard in Zafer Neighbourhood. Here, 9 teachers and students produce liquid hand soap, surface cleaner, bleach, hand antiseptic, liquid hand cleaning foam and cologne. School Principal Yusuf Budak told the AA correspondent that 1,100 students, 240 of whom are in the chemical technologies department, study at the school, and they produce approximately 5 tonnes per day, adding that they can increase this amount thanks to their adequate infrastructure. Noting that they received their initial orders from the District National Education Directorate, Budak said, "Under this order, we are producing 40 tonnes of liquid hand soap and surface cleaner for use in schools in the district. We produce our products without hand contact, fully automatically with an automation system." he said. Explaining that they will soon open a factory sales store in the school's garden and sell at competitive prices, Budak stated, "We have applied to the Turkish Patent and Trademark Institute for the registration of our brand named 'Melisa', whose name was determined by our students and whose logo was prepared by students from our school's graphic photography department. Additionally, we have obtained our ISO certificates and CE manufacturing certificate." he said. Figen Utku, Head of the Chemical Technologies Department at the school, noted that they started producing disinfectant and cleaning supplies during the new coronavirus pandemic period. Explaining that teachers at the school and female students from the chemistry department participated in production, Utku said, "We also work on weekends to keep up with orders. Our sales are initially to public institutions and organizations. Later we will start selling to the public. We use the best and highest quality raw materials so that our products are different from market products." she said. Berna Akti, Head of the Chemistry Technologies Workshop, also explained that the production facility established within the school operates like a mini factory. Emphasizing that by producing they are contributing to both the school and the country's economy, Akti stated, "We have an R&D unit in the school. Before going into production, we conduct pH assessments, color, essence and fluidity tests and alcohol degree studies in our laboratory. Our students both conduct experiments here and participate in production." she said. Deputy Technical Director Sema Gülçin Develi noted that their products are much higher quality and cheaper than market products. Explaining that teachers, students and staff work in harmony at the facility operating like a factory, Develi noted the following: "The procurement of raw materials used in this department, their preparation, packaging and sales go through the revolving capital operation. I am responsible for that area. We procure raw materials from all over Turkey. People can reach us through our school's website and place orders. All of our schools and workplaces can buy products from us. Besides that, the most important thing is that our students receive some pocket money from the revolving capital operation because they work here. This is a very important value in their education and entry into life."