SOLANA d.d. Tuzla supports the innovativeness of young people

TUZLA; (Patria) - SOLANA d.d. Tuzla once again proves its commitment and care for both young people and the wider community, justifying its epithet of a regional company with a high degree of social responsibility. Namely, in coordination with AS Holding and with the support of the Social Innovation Incubator „MUNJA“ Sarajevo, on 27 and 28 June 2019, it successfully organised the youth competition „SOLANA INNOVATION CHALLENGE“.

The competition gave young people aged 18-25 the opportunity to submit their innovations on two topics delegated by Solana d.d. Tuzla. The first topic related to salt-based products under the name „Tuzla Salt, the Natural Crystal of Health and Beauty“ and the second topic „The Salty Side of the Future“ which related to more modern campaigns, packaging and products. From a large number of registered teams, after evaluation by an expert jury, eight teams met the conditions to participate in the final of „Solana Innovation Challenge“. In addition to the competition part, through workshops, students had the opportunity to gain new knowledge about the salt production process, successful presentation skills, and through work with mentors, enrich their knowledge in creating real business challenges.

A high level of teamwork, creativity and presentation of their own work, as well as alignment with the strategy of the company Solana d.d. Tuzla, was shown by the team from the Electrical Engineering School in Tuzla named „Makerspace“, which won first place in this year's „Solana Innovation Challenge“ competition. Second place was won by the team AD Salinas from the University of Tuzla, and third place went to the team Slana Oaza, also from the University of Tuzla.

„Our business tradition dating back to 1885 obliges us to develop and improve our production processes, modernise salt-based products and follow contemporary business methods, the inspiration for which were precisely the young people, the competitors of „Solana Innovation Challenge“” – pointed out the director of Solana d.d. Tuzla, Bakir Smailagić.

The expert jury that evaluated the elaboration of the idea, compatibility with the company's business strategy, presentation skills and team preparedness consisted of Bakir Smailagić, director of Solana d.d. Tuzla, Neven Hadžisulejmanović, member of the Management Board for Operational Affairs of AS Holding, Ethem Numić, director of the Development and Marketing Directorate of AS Holding, Zijad Lugavić, assistant to the mayor for the Service for Economic Development and Social Activities of the City of Tuzla, Dr. Sc. Ermina Smajlović, associate professor at the Marketing Department, Faculty of Economics, University of Tuzla, Prim. Dr. Meliha Ahmetbašić, specialist in dermatovenerology, head of the Department for Skin and Venereal Diseases, and Dr. Sc. Ramzija Cvrk, associate professor at the Food Technology Department, Faculty of Technology, University of Tuzla.

„People are the most important potential of our company. That is what we believe in. AS Holding as an employer offers various opportunities for employment and career development. Students can start their business career with us through a student internship, and upon successful completion of their studies, graduates are offered the opportunity to participate in an internship programme. That is precisely why a project like „Innovation Challenge“ provides an opportunity for our participants to get to know our companies better „from the inside“ through their own experience and to meet some of our greatest experts through mentoring work. Candidates who are focused on their professional future have a chance with us to go from a student internship, through an internship, to employment” – pointed out Emira Duratbegović, director of the Human Resources/HR Directorate of AS Holding.

Solana d.d. Tuzla is proud to have provided young people with the opportunity to enrich „quality with tradition“ with modern and innovative ideas that will provide this company with new opportunities in further business.