OREANDA-NEWS. June 4, 2012. Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Qatar University (QU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) covering the general framework and governing principle of their continuous cooperation in various areas.

The MOU was signed by His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry and Chairman & Managing Director of QP, and Prof. Sheikha Abdulla Al-Misned, President of QU. The signing ceremony, which was held at QP headquarters, was attended by many senior officials from both QP and QU as well as members of the media. H.E. Dr. Al-Sada later presented Prof. Al-Misned with a gift at the conclusion of the signing ceremony honouring her on her continuous and remarkable efforts in promoting cooperation with QP during the years.

“This agreement is another example of how a strong partnership between industry and the academe can contribute greatly in the continued professional development of students, faculty and employees. We look forward to working with QU in implementing the provisions of this MOU, and we are confident that the benefits gained from this agreement would truly be beneficial to all parties involved,” said H.E. Dr. Al-Sada.

Under the MOU, QP and QU have agreed to develop new initiatives and avenues of cooperation. As part of the agreement, QP will support the attendance of QU faculty at international conferences and events hosted by the corporation, and it will also provide summer internship opportunities for QU students. Besides academically supporting senior QU students in their capstone design projects, QP will also organize regular visits to its industrial cities to expose the students to actual working environments and to provide them with a unique learning experience.

In addition, QP will sponsor students to pursue their studies at QU, with particular focus on engineering and science disciplines, in line with the corporation’s business and operational needs. QP will also provide summer attachment opportunities for QU faculty in order for them to work closely with QP in the practical field of their studies.

QU, for its part, will develop professional programs for QP employees. The university will also host speakers from QP to address faculty and students on challenges and new technologies relevant to the energy and industry field. In addition, QU will provide support to the career advisory center established by Qatar’s energy and industry sector, and it will also work with QP in organizing career advisory events and career awareness programs.

This latest MOU is the second to be signed by QP and QU over the past six months. In November last year, the two parties had also signed an MOU to enhance their future cooperation efforts in energy and environmental issues.

An MOU was also signed in January this year between QP and Qatar Foundation (QF). This MOU focused on the development of a comprehensive training and development program by QF to meet the requirements of QP. It also established QF and its partners as QP’s primary source for professional development programs.