Thursday 22 September 2016

Robert Gordon University (RGU) has been awarded funding from the UK Government to establish a sustainable training framework for the Indian energy sector with a focus on accelerating skills development in deep-water subsea.

The university announced the funding after it welcomed the Indian Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Mr Dharmendra Pradhan, and his delegation to its Garthdee campus in Aberdeen last week on Wednesday, September 14 as part of a three day visit to the UK organised by the Department for International Trade (DIT) and Scottish Development International (SDI).

The delegation, which included a number of India’s national oil and gas companies and regulators, are looking to work closely with companies and universities in Scotland, to leverage their world class expertise and track record in subsea engineering.

The Prosperity Funding was awarded to RGU following India’s commitment to reduce its energy imports and the country's intention to fully exploit its field development plans for the deepwater block in the Krishna-Godavari Basin offshore eastern India.

RGU will draw on its subsea expertise and experience of working both in the North Sea and internationally to appraise the future skills profile of India’s industry and propose a sustainable training framework with a focus on engineering disciplines and management.

Professor Paul de Leeuw, Director of RGU’s Oil and Gas Institute, said: “India has an ambitious and exciting agenda for its oil and gas industry, which will require significant investment in local skills development to ensure the country can meet its growing energy demand.

“We are delighted to undertake this important project, which will help build the foundations upon which India can grow its skill base to fully exploit and benefit from its hydrocarbon reserves, strengthen its economy, drive innovation and provide increased employability prospects for its people.”

The six month project will see RGU conduct a feasibility study, which will focus on increasing the understanding of the current subsea skills gaps in India. The study will also identify opportunities for good practice sharing and provide recommendations to position India for success in delivering its ambitious agenda for the hydrocarbon industry.

Scottish Minister for Business Innovation and Energy Paul Wheelhouse MSP congratulated RGU on its funding award during his speech last week at the university’s Garthdee campus as he welcomed Mr Dharmendra Pradhan to Scotland.

The Prosperity Fund is a £1.3 billion cross-government fund to promote the economic reform and development needed for growth in eligible partner countries over the next five years.

The Fund is focused on promoting economic reforms, removing barriers to trade and building strong, effective and accountable institutions. It will provide expertise and technical assistance to develop sectors that support inclusive growth and contribute to poverty reduction.

Last week RGU announced that it has been awarded prosperity funding to advise the Mexican Government on skills development for its oil and gas sector, providing recommendations on how to address the potential skills gap over the next 15 years, both at graduate and vocational level.