Emerson to train Baku Higher Oil School students

On July 8, an agreement was officially signed between Emerson and Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) under State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) in Baku, Azerbaijan. Under the Agreement, organizations will take actions to support research and educational programs on process automation at oil and gas enterprises.

Such tendencies as staff retirement, continued lay-offs and shortage of new experienced specialists are common around the globe. Abundant natural resources of the Caspian Region ensuring its increasing role in the world power diversification bring such tendencies even more to the forefront for Azerbaijan industrial enterprises. Despite longstanding tradition in the country to train well-educated personnel for oil and gas industry, Azerbaijan government and business consider education one of strategic principles of work, Socar said in a statement.

By making education one of essential development areas, for many years SOCAR have been focusing on training young specialists and maintaining its staff skills. Baku Higher Oil School is another important step for human assets development in the country, SOCAR added.

BHOS, established as part of SOCAR in November 2011, is one of the newest educational institutions in Azerbaijan. Key objective of the University is to meet increasing demand for well-educated engineers capable to work in fast developing industries of the country and ensure SOCAR project implementation. BHOS closely cooperates with educational institutions and companies to provide students with theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. Cooperation with Emerson will help strengthen both aspects.

“Corporate education, advanced trainings, introduction of experiential continuum principle and creation of personnel pool are core aspects of our safety policy including safe process management,” SOCAR representative said.

”We welcome one more stage on the way to implement such aspects and develop education in Azerbaijan.”

Cooperation Agreement between BHOS and Emerson includes key pillars of further collaboration to train specialists in oil and gas enterprise automation. Under the Agreement, Emerson will provide specialized training documents, assign experts to deliver lectures and seminars to BHOS students, arrange practical training at various company locations and summer internship programs.

Emerson will reward distinguished BHOS students with scholarships. Moreover, the company will support building a special-purpose lab equipped with digital PlantWeb™ architecture and Smart Wireless instruments. Working on real lab equipment will enable the students to master theoretical knowledge better.

“Our educational institution is interested to take advantage of best educational practices. We are building our partnership and educational process itself so that our students receive education of the highest international standards,” Elmar Gasymov, BHOS Chancellor, said.

“The Agreement gives us additional tools to fulfill our mission that is to train skilled personnel for Azerbaijan oil industry.”

At the meeting in 2013, Emerson Process Management representatives and SOCAR Management voiced plans to jointly provide safe process management training for SOCAR personnel in Azerbaijan. Upon signing the Agreement, perspectives of SOCAR and Emerson cooperation in educating oil and gas personnel have become clearer. In December 2013, Emerson significantly increased its functional capabilities in education and regional support by opening a new office, training, and service centers.

“Azerbaijan is an important market for Emerson technologies and services. We are aimed to expand our presence and maximize Emerson business localization in the region,” Johan Vanderplaetse, VP Eastern Region, said.

“Emerson has been cooperating with tens of universities worldwide but it’s the fist time we have partnered with Azerbaijan higher school. We are willing to be involved in educating future world class oil and gas experts.'”