OMV and Montan University expand cooperation

October 15, 2013 - 12:00 am (CET)

• Plans to found International Petroleum Academy
• OMV to invest around EUR 10 mn in the coming years
• Two-fold increase in the number of graduates as target

OMV, the integrated, international oil and gas company, and Montan University are expanding their existing cooperation and working together on introducing a new degree program – the International Petroleum Academy. OMV is doubling investment in research and teaching. The Petroleum Academy will increase student numbers and facilitate a more international pool of graduates.

OMV launched a job initiative in July 2013, as the company’s growth plans will require an additional 1,600 technical employees for the exploration and production of oil and gas by 2016. There is strong demand for petroleum engineering and geosciences graduates in addition to experienced experts. Intensifying cooperation with Montan University is an important step to increase the potential of recruiting graduates with the necessary expertise.

The new student curriculum is at the heart of the closer cooperation: a new Master's degree will be launched in autumn 2014 at the International Petroleum Academy. Theory and practice will come together in interdisciplinary projects. Management skills such as a foundation in economics and communication will be taught alongside health and safety and a responsible approach to society and the environment. The International Petroleum Academy will offer cutting-edge educational approaches combined with practical industry expertise.

"We view investment in the education of young people as part of our corporate responsibility", said OMV CEO Gerhard Roiss. "Furthermore, this will enable us to contribute to Austria’s competitiveness on the international stage." The next three years will see OMV’s annual investment in the university increase to around EUR 10 mn.

"One of the greatest challenges of the future is securing the supply of energy and commodities", said Univ. Prof. Wilfried Eichlseder, Rector of Montan University – the only university in Austria conducting comprehensive teaching and research in this area. "We therefore view our cooperation with OMV as a critical component for long-term progress in this field."

An international Bachelor's degree was already initiated as a joint program by OMV and Montan University in 2012, training talented young scientists to take on responsibility at OMV. The company is planning to offer Masters students the opportunity to work abroad, as well as exchange programs with other partner universities. These measures, coupled with intensive communication, should lead to a two-fold increase in the number of graduates. The program will be conducted in English, allowing students to acquire the language skills they will later need in their professional lives.

OMV and Montan University have already enjoyed successful collaboration on research projects and OMV’s support in producing scientific papers is well established.

"The three pillars of research, teaching and sharing expertise allow universities to make a key contribution to society. Companies such as OMV play a role in enhancing shared expertise and knowledge exchange. Internships are just one example here. By increasing our cooperation with Montan University, we are aiming to create an overall environment in which even more young people are ready to take up the most exciting jobs worldwide", said OMV CEO Gerhard Roiss.

"The implementation of the International Petroleum Academy is also a key step to greater internationalization for Montan University", said Rector Wilfried Eichlseder. "We are currently developing the new Bachelors and Masters programs, which will also require a significant increase in our teaching faculty. This will naturally lead to a steady, ongoing increase in research and development activities in this field". Montan University already generates more than a third of its budget from funding by third parties, i.e. financing which is directly raised through research cooperation with the business community.

 
Background information:

OMV Aktiengesellschaft
With Group sales of EUR 42.65 bn and a workforce of around 29,000 employees in 2012, OMV Aktiengesellschaft is Austria’s largest listed industrial company. In Exploration and Production, OMV is active in two core countries Romania and Austria and holds a balanced international portfolio with a production of around 303,000 boe/d in 2012. In Gas and Power, OMV sold approximately 437 TWh of gas in 2012. In Austria, OMV operates a 2,000 km long gas pipeline network with a marketed capacity of around 103 bcm in 2012. In Refining and Marketing, OMV has an annual refining capacity of 22 mn t and as of the end of 2012 approximately 4,400 filling stations in 13 countries including Turkey.

Montan University
Montan University has always held an exceptional position among universities in Austria: Leoben is the only place able to offer many of the study programs in their current form. As one of the smallest universities in Austria, it also benefits from its manageable size – close contact between students and faculty allows problems to be solved more quickly and with greater success. The students themselves experience the entire value chain, from raw materials to processed materials through to the finished product. The program also offers interdisciplinary studies such as Industrial Environmental Protection and Industrial Logistics. Graduates are awarded the title "Diplomingenieur"; doctorate programs are offered in every subject field.

Further Facts & Figures on Montan University:
10 Bachelors, 12 Masters programs, 13 university courses
44 professors, 712 academic staff, 404 general staff
Total students October 2013: 3,687
Research: 6 Christian-Doppler laboratories, involved in 3 centers of excellence (PCCl, MCL, K1-MET)

For more information, please contact:

OMV Media Relations:

Johannes Vetter, Tel.: +43-1-40440-22729, johannes.vetter@omv.com
Robert Lechner, Tel.: +43-1-40440-21472, robert.lechner@omv.com
Web: www.omv.com
Social: http://twitter.com/omv

Montanuniversität Leoben Press:

Erhard Skupa, Tel.: +43 3842 402 7220, erhard.skupa@unileoben.ac.at
Web: www.unileoben.ac.at