Iraq Expresses Interest in Gubkin University's Competencies in Training Geologists and Managers

Iraqi companies are interested in training their employees through advanced training programs developed at the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (National Research University). This was stated by Hiraa Rasul Abdelali, Head of the Academic Education Department at the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, at a meeting between the Iraqi delegation and Viktor Martynov, Rector of Gubkin University, on October 29, 2025.

The delegation included representatives of the Ministry of Oil and management of Iraqi oil and gas companies. In their speeches, they noted that Iraqi companies are interested in courses that will teach company specialists modern technologies in the oil and gas industry.

"Among the training areas are those in which Gubkin University has accumulated significant competencies," emphasized Basim Abdulkarim Nasser Al-Shamhan, General Director of the Basra Oil Company. These include geology, oil and gas engineering, oil and gas enterprise management, IT, and artificial intelligence technologies for the industry.

"Gubkin University is one of the world's leading scientific and educational centers in the oil and gas sector. We would like our employees to improve their skills here, as it is important to introduce specialists to advanced technologies and the industry's development prospects," noted Mr. Basim Abdulkarim Nasser Al-Shamkhan.

Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (National Research University) conducts applied research for over 100 companies in the oil and gas sector and a number of international projects with Russian participation.

"Training personnel for enterprises is an integral part of developing promising and advanced technologies for the industry. We train approximately 9,000 specialists annually. More than 250 programs have been created, and a practice of tailoring courses to specific company needs has been established, which has proven successful in large energy projects," said Rector Viktor Martynov.

R&D goals and in-demand training areas include the development of technologies for prospecting, exploration, and field development, including hard-to-recover reserves, and hydrocarbon processing, ensuring technological sovereignty. A separate area is cybersecurity and IT solutions for the industry: mathematical and neural network models, digital twins of geological objects, data encryption, and others.

The Iraqi Ministry of Oil also hopes to engage the university in training students for employment in the country's oil and gas sector and in conducting research commissioned by oil companies.

The parties discussed collaboration mechanisms and the signing of memoranda of cooperation between Gubkin University, the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, and Iraqi oil companies.