Oil and Gas Industry IT Laboratory Opens at Gubkin University
An IT laboratory designed to train specialists for the oil and gas sector has opened at Gubkin University (Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas). The facility is equipped with R7-Office, a modern Russian platform for collaboration and education.
The laboratory was outfitted with the support of JSC R7, a leading developer of office software.
At the facility, students will be able to master collaboration tools and office software solutions in an environment that closely mirrors real-world industrial conditions. In addition to regular academic courses, the IT laboratory will host masterclasses and meetings with R7 experts.
"Gubkin University provides students with a strong engineering foundation. For our part, we are providing a tool they are guaranteed to encounter in their professional careers: our R7-Office software is already in use at the country's largest oil and gas companies. Opening this IT laboratory is a logical step in our partnership. We want students to master Russian technologies through consistent practice rather than sporadic exposure. This represents a significant investment in the future—both for the students and for the industry as a whole," said Evgeny Shelkovnikov, CEO of R7.
Rector Viktor Martynov noted that this year, Gubkin University launched three new programs focused on IT and AI technologies for field development, automated systems in the fuel and energy sector, and innovative oil refining technologies. Furthermore, under an agreement with Gazprom Neft, work has begun on creating a library of digital models to enhance production efficiency, with a specific focus on AI technologies and digital twins. "As an industry-specific center of competence, the university develops educational programs designed to meet not only current workforce needs but also the requirements of strategic projects within the oil and gas sector—the challenges of tomorrow. Collaboration with industry leaders in specialist training is of fundamental importance. We believe that students should gain hands-on experience with production equipment and software while still at the university, so that they arrive at companies fully prepared for the job," emphasized Viktor Martynov.
Currently, Gubkin University collaborates with nearly 300 leading companies in Russia’s oil and gas sector. These include Gazprom, Gazprom Neft, Rosneft, Transneft, Caspian Pipeline Consortium-R (CPC-R), NOVATEK, and others. Key areas of cooperation include workforce training tailored to company needs, scientific research, and the execution of engineering projects.
