AUS and Total to collaborate in areas of mutual benefit

The MoU was signed by Dr. Peter Heath, AUS Chancellor; Sultan Al Hajji, Vice President, Institutional Development, Total UAE; and Jehan-Eric Blumereau, Vice President, Total Professeurs Associés (TPA).

"We are very pleased to have entered into this collaboration with Total," said Dr. Heath on the occasion. "AUS has always looked to partner with prominent organizations and this agreement will help us explore and develop areas of mutual interest and benefit to aspiring alumni and students," he added.

Part of the educational activities will be provided by Total Professeurs Associés (TPA), a nonprofit France-based association of over 270 Total professionals delivering lectures, conferences and short courses to university students. TPA was established in 2001.

Commenting on the signing ceremony, Al Hajji said, "We are proud to collaborate with AUS, one of the leading educational institutions of repute in the UAE. Under CSR activities of Total in the UAE, capacity building of youth, especially Emiratis, is high on our priority list. This also identifies Total's commitment to the host country for transforming the community into a knowledge-based society as directed by the wise leadership of the UAE. I feel honored and privileged to be associated with this MoU because AUS is highly recognized for its research and development activities. I am confident that our cooperation in R&D will lead to sustainable and innovative energy solutions."

"We are pleased to welcome AUS joining the group of over 100 leading educational institutions, universities and schools collaborating with TPA," noted Blumereau.

"This collaborative partnership between Total and AUS affirms Total's commitment to recruiting AUS alumni and students," said Dr. Nada Mourtada-Sabbah, Vice Chancellor for Development and Alumni Affairs. "This MoU emphasizes the intent of both entities to maintain continuous cooperation and understanding in order to advance supportive ventures for mutual benefit, in addition to the development of new initiatives that serve institutional advancement objectives," she added.

The agreement provides a framework of cooperation and outlines a number of areas of mutual collaboration and lists possible initiatives in this regard. The MoU will facilitate partnership on a wide range of resources, services and input from Total derived from their operations in 130 countries worldwide. The MoU will inter alia enhance transfer of professional know-how and expertise in the field of oil and gas, petro chemicals, information technology, project management and related legal, commercial and human resources aspects. This collaboration will also offer alumni and students opportunities to attend industry-related customized short courses, local and international professional conferences and symposia.

Total has been running Total Summer School annually since 2004 where graduate students attend one-week think-tank seminars and workshops in Paris. AUS students will be eligible to participate in this program. Similarly, Total also organizes Total Energy and Education Seminar in Paris where over 60 professors from all over the world participate in a one-week think-tank seminar and workshop. Two professors from AUS participated in this seminar during November 2012 and their participation will develop under the MoU. Alumni and students will benefit from this MoU as they will be offered opportunities to participate in specific studies and in research projects.