Statoil and the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) sign MoU on academic cooperation

Statoil and SUZA took a step forward in strengthening their cooperation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will support capacity-building in the country.

The MoU was signed today in Zanzibar by Professor Idris Ahmada Rai, Vice Chancellor at the University of Zanzibar, and Knut Henrik Dalland, acting Country Manager for Statoil Tanzania.

The MoU will promote academic cooperation including capacity-building projects and the training of administrative staff for undergraduate and postgraduate studies at SUZA and staff exchange programmes with relevant Norwegian universities. The disciplines and projects on which the parties will cooperate will be agreed in a yearly programme.

Commenting on the agreement, Dalland said that the signing of the document brings Statoil’s cooperation with SUZA to a new and exciting level.

“We look forward to continuing to share our knowledge and cooperating with our partners in Zanzibar in the area of capacity within environmental sciences,” says Dalland.

In 2012 SUZA and Statoil established a programme for capacity-building, the main focus of which has been to develop skills for capacity-building within the areas of environmental sciences and more specifically within Environmental Management in Coastal and Marine areas.

“Based on the company’s experience, Statoil firmly believes that it can contribute to the vision established by SUZA and the authorities in Zanzibar to ensure sustainable management and potential future development of oil or gas resources,” says Dalland.

So far, the programme has included workshops on environmental data management and the use of geographical information systems, environmental and social impact assessment, integrated coastal zone planning and environmental monitoring.

The capacity-building programme has provided Statoil with a sound understanding of how the company could support SUZA to strengthen sustainable management of costal and marine areas within education and research.

In line with Statoil’s exploration strategy of developing core positions, Statoil established an office in Zanzibar in 2012 to become familiar with the area, establish an early and open dialogue with relevant stakeholders and to assess any business opportunities which may arise. One of Statoil’s key partners is the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA).

Statoil is also present in southern offshore Tanzania where it has made several gas discoveries in the Statoil- operated Block 2. 15-17 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas in place have so far been reported discovered in Block 2.

Statoil is an international energy company with a strong Norwegian heritage, owned 67% by the Norwegian state, and listed on the Oslo and New York stock exchanges. The company’s focus is exploration and production of oil and gas in the upstream and midstream parts of the industry. Statoil has become a large oil company with 23,000 employees and significant daily production and operations in 33 countries.

For more information about Statoil, please visit www.statoil.com