UAEU Students to Benefit from Collaboration with TOTAL
United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), the Flagship Institution of the nation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Total, a world class energy company with a presence in the UAE since 1939, to promote education in the UAE. Part of the educational activities will be provided by Total Professeurs Associés (TPA), a non-profit France based association of over 270 TOTAL professionals delivering lectures, conferences and short courses to university students. The MoU was signed during a visit to the UAEU campus by Mr. Sultan Al HAJJI, Vice-President, Institutional Development, Total UAE, and Simon HADDAD, Professor, TPA, in which they met with Prof. Mohamed Yousif Baniyas, Provost of the University.
The MoU outlines several collaborative activities in which Total and TPA will contribute to the overall educational experience of the University students, particularly in the Engineering and Science disciplines. In the process, they will familiarize the students with the different activities and opportunities available to them within Total across the UAE. The collaboration will include a series of seminars and short courses to be offered at UAEU campus by Total experts and TPA professors on various technical and administrative aspects of the oil and gas industry, participation of the UAEU’s students at Total Summer School, and participation of the UAEU’s professors at the Total Energy and Education Seminar. The MoU also proposes for Total to provide internship opportunities for students and to participate in UAEU career fairs and other recruitment activities for UAEU graduates. The MoU also calls for the participation of UAEU students and faculty members in the development of research in areas of mutual interest and for Total to offer some of the University graduates opportunities to complete their master degree in France. A steering committee was established to facilitate the discussion related to the issues of mutual interest.
Commenting on the MoU, Prof. Baniyas commented, “The University is proud to be engaged with such a prestigious partner. The University has a long and successful history of collaboration with Total, who have provided different aspects of support to UAEU mission. This MoU will help build an annual program of activities for the benefit of both parties.”
Mr. Sultan Al Hajji commented, “We are honored and pleased to be associated with such a well known education institution with R&D tracks that enriches the field of Science & Energy. TOTAL, as part of its commitment to develop UAE nationals, will make its know-how and technology available for the benefits of the UAEU students. Hoping that such mutual understanding will lead to further cooperation between the company and the university for the benefit of UAE.”
