In a major development in the field of higher education and research at the University of Jammu which is all set to take it to the new heights in the field of international collaborations, the University College London and Jammu University have agreed to establish a collaborative programme for the promotion of co-operation in various branches of scientific research.
This strategic and important development, besides other things, would result in the establishment of the Energy Institute at the University of Jammu, promoting and enabling teaching, training and research in the field of Geosciences, primarily in the field of Petroleum geology, natural hazards, etc. This "Energy Institute", first of its kind in whole of India, would be on the pattern of Energy and Geo-science Institute, University of Utah in Jammu and Kashmir.
A Memorandum of Understanding regarding this co-operation was signed by Professor Michael Worton, Provost (Academic and International), University College London and Professor Amitabh Mattoo, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu on Wednesday, 12th November 2008 at the Jammu University. The terms of this collaboration are to establish collaborative links between the Maghreb Petroleum Research Group, Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, Eni Corporate University and the Department of Geology, University of Jammu in various areas.
With this collaboration which is being seen as a major achievement for the University of Jammu, the partners will work towards developing an international research and training programme for postgraduate research students. There would be exchanges of Academic Staff and students for the purpose of research besides the exchange of Technical information and publications under appropriate confidentiality agreements and joint conferences, seminars and symposia on topics of mutual interest would be organized by the University of Jammu and University College London.
Besides, decks have are being cleared for setting up Energy Institute at the University of Jammu for which the University of Jammu is working for a long time now. Next meeting among the partners is scheduled to be held at Tripoli on 17th November 2008, in which Jammu University is represented by Prof. G.M. Bhat, to discuss the modalities of the proposed Institute.
Professor Amitabh Mattoo, the visionary Vice Chancellor of the University of Jammu, who is instrumental in this MoU, said that the University of Jammu is honoured to be associated with Eni in the innovative programme of collaboration between industry and academia and between India and Italy, which reflects our shared vision of social and corporate responsibility towards humanity across the nations of the world. This MoU, he said, is a great step forward towards promoting its geo-science education and training in the University of Jammu.
Technical support for this programme of collaboration will be provided by Eni-Agip which is the sixth largest Oil Company in the world with its exploration and production activity in 73 countries with over 1.0 lac technical and research staff, Exploration and Production Division, Milan Italy.
Professor G. M. Bhat of the Department of Geology, University of Jammu, Prof. Juergen Thurow of UCL, Dr. Bindra Thusu of Maghreb Petroleum Research Group at UCL and Dr. Jonathan Craig, Vice-President, ENI – Milan have played a pivotal role in establishment of this collaborative programme between the UCL and the University of Jammu. In recognition of the support extended by Prof. Thurow, Dr. Craig and Dr. Thusu, the University of Jammu has recently granted visiting professorships to them.
Dr Craig has promoted and guided the JU’s Geology Department in organizing a hugely successful international conference on the potential of hydrocarbons in J&K State, the Indian sub-continent including Pakistan and also Oman. The ideas generated by internationally acclaimed geoscientists from academia and oil companies have led to generation of new ideas and opportunities for research and exploration in India and overseas.
The renowned geo-scientist had also accompanied JU’s geology post-graduate students and staff to field geology excursions to Jammu, Bhadarwah and Srinagar and taught them modern field techniques. He has identified some interesting areas for further research which will constitute a part of Ph D programme for two of our students and has honoured JU by accepting to co-supervise these projects in Jammu and at the Earth Sciences Department, University College London with Eni financial support.
Dr Craig took a special interest in educating children of Jammu and Kashmir State by providing essential basic education in Geosciences for secondary school children. The most important component of his teaching was directed to critical global issues of the current energy crisis, depleting fossil fuel resources, alternative energy resources, energy efficiency and global warming. It is perhaps the first programme of its kind to address these issues with the new generation in our state and in India. This education programme held so far in Jammu, Kargil, Leh and Jodhpur (Rajasthan) have been a resounding success. The programme, especially in Leh and Jodhpur made a visible impact on the lives and perception of the children involved.
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