Visitors from one of China's major oil companies will be attending a two-day oil-related training course at the University of Aberdeen this week.
The group of senior executives from the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) are attending the tailored professional development course, which has been developed in conjunction with CNOOC.
A number of speakers will discuss various topics around the theme Management and Organisation in the Oil and Gas Sector. The programme incorporates speakers from the University, as well as leading industry representatives.
CNOOC's 20 representatives will attend a welcome reception tonight (Tuesday, October 19), hosted by Professor Dominic Houlihan, Vice Principal, Research and Commercialisation, to which key industry and senior University representatives have been invited. The event will see presentations given by Scottish
Development International, Scottish Enterprise Grampian and the University, focussing on How British Companies can do business in China. The delegates will then be treated to a whisky tasting session at the welcome reception.
Professor Houlihan said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to welcome the Chinese delegation from the China National Offshore Oil Corporation. The evening reception will provide an excellent opportunity for our guests to find out more about doing business in China. I hope the overall visit will lead to even more collaboration between Aberdeen and the Far East and will help us develop new commercial opportunities in China.
"I hope that the two-day professional development training programme which has been devised for the senior executives from the CNOOC will be invaluable.
"The course includes presentations from senior academics from the University, including leading oil industry expert Professor Alex Kemp."
The 20 delegates include the Vice Presidents, General Managers, and the Vice Director of CNOOC, who will be attending the University from Tuesday to Thursday, October 19 to 21, and receiving seminars from a number of invited guest speakers including Dr John Methven, of Petrofac Facilities Management, Dr Chris Freeman, of Logic, Dr David Ellix, of Industry Technology Facilitator, and Dr Robin Henderson, of the University of Aberdeen.
On Thursday, the visiting dignitaries will have the chance to experience Royal Deeside with a trip to Crathes Castle.
* The University of Aberdeen - which has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Petroleum University of Beijing - has already received three Chinese professors who are staying in Aberdeen for six months.