MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Leading US and Russian energy and petroleum sector universities — Rice University (Houston, Texas), Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (Moscow) and Ufa State Petroleum Technological University — signed a memorandum of understanding and mutual assistance on the sidelines of the Russian Energy Week forum in Moscow, the Russian Trade Representation in the United States said in a statement.
"These agreements make it possible to attract additional investments and advanced technologies to Russia, promote educational and research programs in the field of oil and gas business, and commercialize university developments," the statement obtained by Sputnik said.
According to Special Advisor to the Executive Director of Rice University's Energy and Environment Initiative, Michael Moore, the meetings held on the sidelines of the energy forum provide convincing evidence that the strengthening of Russian-US relations is a mutually beneficial process, and the signed memorandums on inter-university cooperation create a solid foundation for further growth in this direction.
In late July, the Russian Trade Representation in the United States and Rice signed a memorandum. Then, the agreement opened up opportunities for all Russian universities to expand international cooperation with Rice, first of all, in the field of technology exchange and personnel training in the oil and gas industry.