The University of Aberdeen has this week signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Universidad Tecnológica de Tabasco of Villahermosa, Mexico at a signing ceremony in Aberdeen.
The MoU will facilitate access to postgraduate Engineering programmes at the University of Aberdeen by Mexican students. It will also allow the development of collaborative links between the academic institutions, in particular the development of joint projects and access to and sharing of teaching programmes in wider aspects of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
The agreement between the universities complements the MoU that already exists between the cities of Aberdeen and Villahermosa, and further reinforces the growing links between the cities, both of whom are members of the World Energy Cities Partnership.
Vice-Principal and Head of the College of Physical Sciences at the University of Aberdeen, Professor Albert Rodger, said: "This signing marks the beginning an important milestone and relationship between our two universities, in building close academic links between Aberdeen and Tabasco - two regions that share many common aspects. This will hopefully see a growing exchange of initiatives and innovations related to the energy sector. Agreements such as this MoU signing will further strengthen Aberdeen's reputation as a centre of quality and excellence in teaching and research."
Led by Rector Jose F. Fuentes Esperón, the delegation from the Universidad Tecnológica de Tabasco is visiting Aberdeen this week. The visit will principally mark the beginning of a training programme in Aberdeen for engineers of the Mexican national oil company PEMEX, through a contract with the commercial training company Abalt Solutions Limited. The links between the Mexican national oil company, the two universities and Aberdeen-based commercial training providers such as Abalt Solutions demonstrates the desire and willingness to share the vast experience in Aberdeen with other partner oil and gas provinces worldwide. It is fully supported by Aberdeen City Council and Scottish Development International.
University of Aberdeen representative Mark Critchley said: "It is the University's desire to formalise these strategic inter-University links to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and expertise between Aberdeen and the Energy industries in Mexico, and indeed elsewhere, thereby working together to overcome the energy challenges being faced both today and into the future.
"The capacity and knowledge available in Mexico in support of energy is already excellent. However, in Aberdeen we have particular expertise in certain areas which means we are well-placed to supplement existing capabilities to the greater good. We are extremely happy to be a partner to foster development of new and shared initiatives with our new associate at the Universidad Tecnológica de Tabasco. This will commence with programmes at postgraduate level in Subsea Engineering, but we anticipate wider collaborations as the relationship matures."