The Texas A&M University in Qatar (TAMUQ) has reached an agreement with Schlumberger aimed at bringing 'cutting-edge' oil and gas training programmes to one of the world's leading energy sectors.

Currently, the university offers dozens of courses across nine technology areas related to the energy industry, with this number set to be boosted to 210 through the incorporation of Schlumberger's Network of Excellence in Training (NExT) initiative.

According to TAMUQ dean and chief executive, Mark H Weichold, the new partnership will be rolled out across the both the teaching and research facilities, with the aim of improving the employment prospects of the next generation of oil and gas professionals.

"Oil and gas industry professionals will be able to receive training that updates or enhances their education so they can be as effective as possible in their jobs," he explained to the Gulf Times.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for Texas A&M at Qatar to expand its outreach to the oil and gas industry and provide further service to Qatar," he added.

Schlumberger also currently works alongside the University of Oklahoma and Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh through its NExT training and development programme.