Проф. Иван Илчев и Кзавие Фожрас
A frame cooperation agreement was signed between Total E & P Bulgaria B. V. В and Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” in the head office of the company. The agreement was signed by Professor Dr. Ivan Ilchev, Rector of Sofia University, and Mr. Xavier Faugeras, Manager of Total E & P Bulgaria B.V.
The agreement covers a period of three years and continues the process of cooperation of the oldest high academic institution in this country with the OMV company which jointly with Total and Repsol carry out oil and gas explorations of the Black Sea shelf.
Total E & P Bulgaria B.V. is a leading energy group functioning globally and specializing mostly in the production of oils and chemical products, industrial and business activities in the area of oil, gas, energy, chemistry, the energy of renewable resources, etc. In the development of its activities the company is interested in cooperating with professional experts in the domain of education.
Sofia University is the most prestigious high academic institution in this country. It is the biggest national centre of high academic education and scientific research both in the theoretical and in the applied spheres. Sofia University is in a leading position in the country in all professional domains where students are taught and is the only Bulgarian University included in prestigious international ratings. The Faculty of Geology and Geography offers the whole spectrum of academic degrees in the different geological disciplines.
Prior to signing the agreement Mr. Xavier Faugeras stated that for Total and its partners at Block 1-21 “Khan Asparouh” ОМV and Repsol that was a way of showing their active commitment to and participation in the teaching process of Bulgarian specialists, and provision of support to Bulgarian lecturers and scientists. He expressed his hope that for the students that was a way to get in touch with leading international companies and scientists.
Mr. Faugeras added that four one-week courses had already been prepared and would be sponsored by the Association of Professors at Total; the courses will take place in the spring and autumn of the current year. The courses will cover various topics: “Sea Sounding”, “Geological Data Interpretation”, “Seismic Data Interpretation”, and “Health, Safety, and Environment Protection”.
The Manager of Total E & P Bulgaria B. V. highlighted the importance of the moment the agreements were signed since in the past years there was a growing interest in the gas and oil industry in Bulgaria due to the serious need for energy diversification and the hope of finding new local energy resources. “For us the signing of these agreements is a way of encouraging the possibilities for education of the local specialists and the procurement of jobs by the local talented people in an environment of ever growing competitiveness.”
Professor Ilchev, Rector of Sofia University, said that he was particularly delighted by the occasion of the meeting. He stressed the fact that over the past few years Sofia University had actively participated in the debates over the role of the universities in the preparation of specialists for the business world. According to him, the university should aim at creating all rounded thinking young individuals who, at a later stage, would relatively easily adapt to the dynamically changing needs of the business world and the competitive working environment.
In Professor Ilchev’s words all this makes it necessary for the university to maintain close links with the world of business already in the early stages of the students’ academic studies, while they are still in their bachelors’ and masters’ courses. The Rector also pointed out that it is particularly encouraging when a university gets material support from companies like Total E & P Bulgaria B.V. He recalled occasions of other successful acts of cooperation and donation made to Sofia University. Recently Total E & P Bulgaria B.V. made a donation, the size of 220 000 levas for the purchasing of computers and microscopes for the needs of the Faculty of Geology and Geography, whereas with the financial sponsorship of several banks and investors lecture theatres of several faculties at Sofia Universities were renovated.
Professor Ilchev pointed to the fact that Sofia University had already signed agreements first of all with companies with activities in the domain of IT technologies and also firms exploring the mineral resources in this country. He also expressed his hope that such acts of cooperation would serve as good examples to other representatives in the business world.
The objectives of the frame agreement for cooperation between Sofia University and Total E & P Bulgaria B.V. focus on developing and providing possibilities for the training of Bulgarian students and specialists in the domain of exploration and production of carbohydrates and the popularization amongst Bulgarian students and specialists of new technologies and practices in the sea oil industry and also the provision of possibilities for practical work.
Cooperation in the preparation and realization of academic lectures and courses is also envisaged, so are scientific research programs connected with the exploration and production of carbohydrates with the aim of assisting the local educational process and facilitating the access to school and high academic education. The clauses of the agreement include undergraduate support by offering joint projects, internships, sponsorships, practical courses and also the selection of outstanding students in view of their further career development or internships at Total E & P Bulgaria B.V.