Baghdad: Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Minister of Oil Hayan Abdul-Ghani Al-Sawad stressed the importance of developing and growing human capabilities in the oil sector, by learning about modern technology and studies in the oil industry.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Ministry stated in a statement: "The Minister, while sponsoring and attending today's reception for students on scholarships under the 2023 Academic and Training Cooperation Program between the Training and Development Department, the Central Oil Company, and the Chinese company Zhenhua, said, 'We are delighted to see the presence of young cadres who are leaders of the future and have worked to develop their own potential through higher academic studies.'" He pointed out that scientific research is constantly evolving, and obtaining a scientific degree is a prelude to development, which is enhanced by increasing awareness of scientific research and technological progress in the oil industry.

The Minister praised the efforts of the first batch of students, who completed their academic studies with distinction. He emphasized the importance of diligence and excellence to the fourth batch, who attended the ceremony and will begin their higher education.

The Minister also commended the efforts of the Chinese company Zhenhua for its cooperation in the field of academic and training cooperation.

The reception was attended by the Director General of the Training and Development Department, Hisham Yas, and the Director General of the Central Oil Company, Mohammed Yassin.

The Director General of Training said, the academic cooperation between the Department, the Middle Oil Company, and the Chinese Zhenhua Oil Company included the allocation of 42 fellowships in engineering and technical fields at reputable Chinese universities. These fellowships were allocated to employees working in oil formations and were distributed over four batches: 12 fellowships for doctoral studies and 30 fellowships for master's studies. He noted that the first batch began its studies in 2023, with 13 students graduating. We are welcoming them today to celebrate their graduation. He added that we are also welcoming 14 students today to be sent as part of the fourth batch.

The Director General added that, within the framework of this cooperation, 11 students from Wasit and Baghdad governorates were sent to study for master's degrees at Chinese universities, in line with the requirements of developing the East Baghdad oil field.

This step represents a practical model of the Ministry's efforts to develop the human resources and energies working in the oil sector, and thus develop the national oil industry.