Total Research Centre Qatar (TRCQ) and Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ) have recently signed a service agreement allowing the research centre to use the analysis equipment at the university’s engineering building.The agreement confirms the complementary nature of Qatar Science and Technology Park’s (QSTP) oil and gas research and the work of academic institutions, as they both aim to improve research and development in Qatar and students’ educational opportunities.“Total, the world’s fifth largest international oil and gas company, has a strong presence in Qatar through its industrial and research presence including exploration and production, refining and petrochemicals. It is committed to its role in developing the links between Universities and Energy industries, especially through research and collaborations,” TRCQ director Dr Philippe Julien said.He explained that in TRCQ, there were five different research projects: in geochemistry, acid stimulation, multiphase flow modeling, air quality, and petrochemicals.“Total, in parallel, is actively involved in professional trainings to complete the full cycle in technology development,” he added.TAMUQ research and graduate studies associate dean Dr Kenneth Hall said that the university views offering its technological resources and human expertise to local corporations such as Total as a step forward in fulfilling its vision of being a valued resource to Qatar.“Texas A&M at Qatar has the opportunity here to provide specialised services that are not available at any other institution or facility in Qatar.“We are proud to have the opportunity to provide this to our local partners and hope to further utilise our technical services facility to transfer knowledge generated at the university to the Qatar community,” Hall said.Under the new agreement, TRCQ will employ the advanced analytical facilities of the university’s chemistry laboratories in the form of spectrometry and magnetic resonance techniques.TAMUQ Science Programme chair Dr Hassan S Bazzi said: “Our chemistry laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art instruments and we are glad to share our expertise with local industry, as it is an excellent opportunity for our partners, students and researchers.”The agreement signing followed a general Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) announcing the collaboration between Total E&P Qatar and TAMUQ on research and development projects.The MoU, signed in June 2010, prepared a platform for sharing resources and provided research, internship and career opportunities for the university’s students.“We had petroleum engineering students from TAMUQ for training in both acid stimulation and smart metering projects last summer. The findings of both trainings have been presented at the Qatar Foundation Annual Research Forum 2011,” Julien said, while mentioning that this summer, the facility will be having chemical and petroleum engineering students in both petrochemicals and E&P research projects.“We would like this knowledge transfer to be our Total tradition. We are looking at leading the way through training to ensure knowledge transfer and stronger links between educational entities and Industries,” he said.TAMUQ is an active member of Qatar’s educational and research arena through its activities which include hosting conferences and seminars and sharing its technical equipment and expertise with the local community.Total, as a Qatar Foundation member, is active in fulfilling its role in developing technology in Qatar through training and collaboration.“We are delighted to follow (up on) the previous MoU with the service agreement that enables the usage of TAMUQ resources in order to better develop the research in TRCQ,”Julien said. “We are looking forward to being part of Qatar’s technological development and offering more opportunities for students to be involved in industrial research and applications.”