BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 29. bp yesterday joined
a ceremony marking the graduation of the first cohort of students
from the dual degree master’s programme in renewable energy at the
Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University (ASOIU), Trend reports via the
company.
The company has been supporting the programme since its
establishment in 2023.
The dual degree programme represents a brand new academic course
of study for Azerbaijan, enabling the training of the next
generation of national engineers specializing in renewable energy.
bp has been supporting the programme through its two million dollar
social investment initiative as part of its commitment to long-term
skills and capacity development in the country.
Today’s ceremony celebrates the successful graduation of the
first cohort of 27 students, an important milestone for this new
academic initiative.
The programme was initiated by the Ministry of Science and
Education of Azerbaijan and is delivered by ASOIU in partnership
with the University of Warwick. It combines international academic
expertise with local delivery methodologies aiming to strengthen
Azerbaijan’s renewable energy education capacity. bp has been
supporting the programme through the establishment of a renewable
energy laboratory, the provision of supporting infrastructure and
equipment, as well as capacity building and faculty development
activities.
"We are pleased to celebrate the first graduation from this
pioneering programme. Investing in education and skills development
is a vital part of our support for Azerbaijan’s energy transition,
and we believe this programme helps to prepare highly qualified
professionals with the practical knowledge and competencies
required by the country’s evolving energy sector. This milestone
also highlights the value of our strong collaboration with the
Ministry of Science and Education and our university partners in
advancing renewable energy education in the country," Bakhtiyar
Aslanbayli OBE, bp vice president for the Caspian region, said.
bp’s ongoing support for the programme includes:
- Establishment of a renewable energy laboratory – a modern
laboratory being established at ASOIU to enable hands on education
and applied research across solar, wind and hydrogen energy. The
laboratory will be equipped with advanced experimental and
simulation tools, allowing students and researchers to carry out
real world measurements, observe energy conversion processes and
analyze system performance using industry relevant software. - Provision of infrastructure, equipment and operational support
required for the effective functioning of the laboratory. This
includes IT equipment, software and licenses, furniture, first aid
and protective clothing, as well as construction and renovation
works for the laboratory premises. - Capacity building and faculty development, aimed at
strengthening local academic expertise, including English language
training for academic staff, as well as knowledge-sharing
opportunities for local renewable energy professors, experts and
programme administrators to visit the University of Warwick. - Targeted support for the second cohort of the dual degree
programme including travel costs and fees for visiting UK
professors, as well as expenses related to ASOIU students’
participation in a UK summer school, providing international
academic exposure and practical learning experience.
