A delegation from the University of Aberdeen’s College of Physical Sciences will travel to Canada this week, in a visit which will further strengthen the institution’s academic and industrial links within North America.
Professor Albert Rodger, Vice Principal & Head of the College of Physical Sciences, University of Aberdeen will lead the visit to Calgary and Vancouver.
In Calgary, the delegation will visit the University of Calgary, where Professor Rodger will meet with senior academics from faculties including Environmental Design, Engineering, and Geology.
Tours of the University of Calgary’s facilities, including its Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy, will take place.
A Memorandum of Understanding between the two universities will also be renewed during the visit.
Industry links will be built with the Canadian offices of oil and gas companies Talisman, Nexen and Suncor based in Calgary, with Professor Rodger meeting with key contacts from these organisations.
In Vancouver, the delegation will visit Simon Fraser University to tour faculties in the areas of Engineering, Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Earth Sciences.
Professor Rodger will sign a Student Exchange Agreement during the visit, further strengthening links between the universities following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding last year.
Professor Neil Price and Professor Keith Dobney from the University’s Department of Archaeology will also meet with academics from Simon Fraser University’s Faculty of Archaeology to discuss opportunities for future collaboration.
Alumni events will be held in both Calgary and Vancouver to coincide with these visits.
Professor Albert Rodger said: “The University of Aberdeen has a strong commitment to building a worldwide network of academic and industry partnerships.
“North America is a highly significant region within the oil and gas sector, and Canada is a natural hub of both academic research and industry activity in this area.
“Building mutually beneficial links and seeking out future opportunities for alliances in Canada is a key objective for the University, and we are confident new working relationships will be forged following this week’s visit.”