India-Canada forum to focus on energy
June 29, 2010
On July 29th, a delegation of 19 oil and gas technical directors from India visited the Alberta School of Business to officially announce a new global networking forum of petrochemical experts.
The India-Canada Forum of Industry and Academic Experts will connect University of Alberta faculty and researchers with industry leaders in India. The partnership is being forged by the Alberta School of Business and the Petrotech Society, a non-profit organization that offers training and expertise within India’s oil and gas industry.
The partnership is the first of its kind for both sides, and will expose participants to undiscovered areas of oil and gas development, explained John Doyle, programs director at the Centre for International Business Studies (CIBS).
“People who work primarily in research and development are able to get some experience in energy management, which is becoming increasingly important. So it’s a meeting of different experts whose goals are to grow their own knowledge as well as share what they know.”
The value of creating connections with India’s burgeoning economy and industry is invaluable for the University. India is home to over 15 per cent of the world’s population, and the country’s energy demands are resulting in large research investments and opportunities. The partnership will allow the University to lend its expertise in international business and energy and environmental management.
The program will also act as a recruitment tool.
“It’s an opportunity to tell all of these contacts what’s happening, what’s new at our school,” Doyle said. “It’s the best way for them to find these things out – for us to tell them about it face to face – and if they’re interested, they send their people here to learn.”
While the scope of partnership is currently limited to Canada and India, Doyle explained that Dean Mike Percy and CIBS Assistant Dean Edy Wong aim to expand the forum into a truly international affair by, for example, expanding participation by inviting Chinese delegates to future events.
The India-Canada Forum of Industry and Academic Experts will next meet in New Delhi, India in October.