Agreement signed with Kerui Group, Global Energy Research Site partner

April 25, 2017

By University Relations Staff

University of Calgary has signed a collaboration agreement with Kerui Group on April 20, 2017 to offer short-term training programs for oil and gas professionals at the Victor International Institute of Petroleum Training (VIPT) in Dongying, China.

Delivered by top faculty members from the University of Calgary’s Schulich School of Engineering, Faculty of Science and Continuing Education, the three course modules will focus on oil and gas technical training, advanced project management, and health, safety and environment topics.

Pictured above is University of Calgary Vice-Provost (International) Janaka Ruwanpura signing the agreement with Kerui Group’s president, Haitao Wang, on April 20, 2017, for the University of Calgary to provide training programs to oil and gas professionals in China. Back row: Premier Rachel Notley, Ambassador John McCallum, and Minister of Economic Development and Trade Deron Bilous.

Partnership brings Canadian unconventional oil and gas expertise to China

“I am extremely proud to support the University of Calgary and the Victor International Institute of Petroleum Training in forming and building on relationships with such innovative partners in China. We look forward to seeing the success of this collaboration, and to watching Alberta’s expertise create opportunities for Albertans and also make a difference around the world,” says Premier Rachel Notley, who attended a China-Alberta Energy and Climate Change Round Table and oversaw several agreement signings at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing on April 20. 

“In the last several years, we have expanded our partnership with China, from the opening of our first Global Energy Research Site in Beijing, to this new partnership with Kerui Group,” says President Elizabeth Cannon, University of Calgary. “Such initiatives prove our capacity to drive innovative energy research and education in China and around the world, and help train the next generation of energy leaders.”

VIPT is a corporate education service for Shandong Kerui Holding Group Ltd., a leading Chinese oil and gas company operating in more than 45 countries. The University of Calgary partnered with Kerui Group in 2014 to launch the Global Initiative for Research in Unconventional Oil and Gas and its first Global Energy Research Site in Beijing.

Courses leverage University of Calgary’s world-class energy knowledge and capabilities

Each module includes multiple three- to five-day courses, which help Chinese professionals advance their knowledge of complex energy issues, including core oil and gas principles, project management, critical health, safety and environment (HSE) practices, and effective solutions for their organizations. Courses are based on existing programs at the University of Calgary, with participants earning a certificate of participation.

“The University of Calgary continues to be a leader in energy research, bringing our expertise to countries across the globe. Through collaboration and partnership, we can work together on the big issues that face society today,” says Vice-President (Research) Ed McCauley.  He represented the University of Calgary at the China-Alberta Energy and Climate Change Round Table and advocated for collaborative research partnerships that address the shared energy goals of China and Alberta.

“China is a country of emphasis for us and this new partnership greatly supports our international strategy goals and complements the university’s portfolio of joint initiatives with China,” says Vice-Provost (International) Janaka Ruwanpura.   

With more than 200 faculty members engaged in energy research, the University of Calgary has tremendous capacity to improve understanding of resources, develop effective recovery solutions and address related health, safety and environment aspects.

A program launch event celebrating the new partnership was organized by Kerui Group in Dongying on April 22, following the agreement signing ceremony held at the Embassy of Canada in Beijing, China on April 20, 2017.