21 April 2017

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon welcomed a five-year partnership worth at least £2.5 million between Heriot-Watt University and Total.

The Partnership Agreement will cover global research and development and educational activities undertaken jointly by Total and Heriot-Watt.

It will include sponsored PhD and post-doctoral studies, guest lectures and presentations, internships and scholarships, seminars and training events, career, business and education forums and conferences, and university and industry-based site visits.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“Ensuring the future of Scotland’s offshore industry is a key priority for this government and it is hugely encouraging to hear the positive impact this partnership will have for both the oil and gas sector and our university system.

“Not only will this provide an excellent opportunity to harness the technological advances Scotland’s universities are so famed for, but it is also set to help ensure Scotland’s oil and gas sector will continue to prosper for future generations.”

The First Minister visited the Edinburgh Campus of Heriot-Watt University to mark the signing of the agreement.

She met with academics involved in Total-funded research, development and education, and visited high-tech laboratories at the University’ Institute of Petroleum Engineering.

First Minister welcomes Total and Heriot-Watt #research partnership https://t.co/Ec3YTLRWyE https://t.co/z298MyLLQm #oilandgas pic.twitter.com/OPqvjJl2LO

— Heriot-Watt Uni (@HeriotWattUni) April 21, 2017