The University of Aberdeen will launch its activity at Offshore Europe with a focus on key international partnerships that will bolster the University's energy-related research and teaching activities.
An agreement that will see the University establish its first international campus in Korea has been followed by recent agreements with Harbin Engineering University in China and Curtin University in Australia, which will see the universities’ work together in areas of mutual interest.
The Korean campus, which is scheduled to open in September 2016, will specialise in offering courses in offshore-related disciplines, including MSc courses in Oil and Gas Topside Engineering, Subsea Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, and an MBA in Energy Management.
The campus is being supported by a number of key Korean industrial and governmental institutions* and will provide the University with access to major new research facilities in engineering, opening up exciting new opportunities in research as well as in teaching.
Businesses are being invited to attend the University of Aberdeen’s stand today in order to learn about potential research and staff development opportunities arising from the new campus, which will also open up opportunities for business links in the East Asia region.
Seth Kunin, Vice-Principal for Internationalisation at the University of Aberdeen, said: “The South Korean Government is keen to develop its offshore industry, and it is a testament to the academic expertise that exists at the University of Aberdeen that we were chosen as a partner in this project.
“The new campus will export our world-class educational offering to a new market in East Asia, but it will also open up huge opportunities in research thanks to the impressive facilities located there.
“In addition to our activity in Korea, the University has secured agreements with Harbin Engineering University in China and Curtin University in Australia which will see us export our expertise to new markets and open up opportunities across the East Asia region.
“The University has also been active in Mexico, which has resulted in an agreement that will encourage collaboration between the University, PEMEX and the Mexican Petroleum Institute (MPI) to undertake research and educational programs, and to strengthen institutional links.
“In addition, our activities in Brazil have led to an agreement with BG Brasil and the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul’s Institute of Geosciences (UFRGS/PPGGEO) to offer fellowships to Brazilian citizens for dual PhD degree and post-doctoral opportunities.
“In a global energy market it is important that the University seeks to strengthen its overseas capabilities and develop links in emerging markets, and our activities over the past year have significantly bolstered our presence in key energy regions.
“We are keen to speak with businesses about staff development and business opportunities arising from our international partnerships, and would encourage anyone with an interest to visit our stand today to find out more.”
*The University’s partners in the Korean campus project include the Korean Ministry of Trade & Industry (MOTIE), the Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Government, Gwangyang Free Economic Zone, Hadong District Administration, and the Korea Ship and Offshore Research Institute (KOSORI).