Iran’s Petroleum University to Establish Academic Center in Africa

Mohammad Chahardowli said that the Petroleum University of Technology with an 85-year history of activity was the second oldest higher education institution in Iran, adding during the recent years it has been one of the superior scientific and research institutions of the country, having served the Petroleum Ministry and the domestic and international companies in training human resources. 

He also referred to the Petroleum University of Technology’s cooperation with the foreign universities, saying, "After signing a memorandum of understanding for cooperation with Basra University for Oil and Gas (BUOG) in Iraq, we plan to expand our cooperation this year which is set to cover issues like joint educational and research activities, exchange of professors and students and holding joint camps.”

“Likewise, we have reached an agreement with the Russian University of MGIMO, based on which the students will spend part of their education in Iran and the other part in Russia. These students will be given two master degrees, one from Iran and the other from the foreign university.” Chahardowli said.  

He added that Petroleum University of Technology has also held negotiations with the Russian University of Kazan, seeking expansion of international cooperation via taking part in various international exhibitions.     

“To expand our international activities, we are trying, with the help of the Ministry of Science, to establish a faculty in one of the African universities to train students from around the continent,” the chancellor said.  

Referring to Shahid Tondgoyan Petroleum Engineering Competitive Event (TPEC), he said that the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) was interested to operate in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and considering the shortage of these kinds of activities, Petroleum University of Technology decided to hold the event.

Chahardowli said that the Petroleum University of Technology has so far received 130 requests from different universities’ professors and students and innovative and knowledge-based companies to take part in the event. 

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