ABERDEEN’S Robert Gordon University and Stavanger University are forming a collaborative partnership covering education and research across a number of disciplines, but which will especially capitalise on their strong positions in energy-related activities – most of all North Sea oil&gas.
Under the terms of a memorandum of understanding just signed by the two institutions, they will also concentrate on combined solutions to challenges raised by the rural nature of the regions and investigate and develop new sources of co-funding
One of the key drivers of the collaboration is to provide joint curriculum development and to create a bridge for students and employees looking to advance their skills and knowledge across either side of the North Sea.
This will be especially relevant for employees of Norwegian companies based in Aberdeen, and vice versa. Basically, this means that students on either side of the North Sea will be able to work on their courses through either of the universities.
Energy believes that a successful pilot between RGU and Stavanger will lead to further similar collaborations, so creating a network. This could be of huge value to oil-industry personnel, especially, as they are highly mobile compared with many other sectors of business and industry.
There is already huge flexibility in, for example, the remote delivery of engineering and MBA programmes via the internet.
Professor Mike Pittilo, RGU’s principal and vice-chancellor, said: ‘To compete successfully in a knowledge-based global economy we have to do more to help and support the way we develop and deliver learning, teaching and research, and partnering with the University of Stavanger will help to facilitate this.”
Stavanger’s rector, Aslaug Mikkelsen, added: “Robert Gordon University and the University of Stavanger are innovative and ambitious institutions. We both emphasise co-operation with industry and authorities, and together we will use corporate responsibility to work with both society and our students. When our two institutions join forces, I am sure we will have good results.”