On January 9^th, Southwest Petroleum University held "ZhenHua Oil Scholarship Project" launching ceremony at Oil Cultural Center in Baghdad, Iraq. The Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Minister of Oil Hayan Abdul-Ghani, the Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Iraq Jian Fangning, the Deputy General Manager of ZhenHua Oil Lu Lize and the the Iraqi students of Southwest Petroleum University attended the ceremony.

China ZhenHua Oil Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as ZhenHua Oil) is a state-owned oil company specializing in oil and gas exploration and production, oil industry investment, international oil trading, refining and storage and transportation of crude oil and oil products. ZhenHua Oil is also an important participant and contributor in the construction of Iraq's oil industry. Its joint operation of Ahdab Oilfield has been the first international oil cooperation project in Iraq after the war.

In March 2022, ZhenHua Oil and Southwest Petroleum University launched the academic education program for Iraqi students in China, allowing 30-50 Iraqi students to study for Master's and Doctor's degrees in China every year. It is the first international oil company to provide such a long-term scholarship program.

In the autumn semester of 2022, 15 Iraqi students were enrolled by Southwest Petroleum University after application, selection and recommendation by ZhenHua Oil, material review, interview and other procedures. This spring semester, they will come to Southwest Petroleum University for further study in the majors like Oil and Gas Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Control Science and Engineering. Lu Lize issued the acceptance letter to the candidates at the launching ceremony.

In his speech, Hayan Abdul-Ghani said that this project will greatly help the Iraqi Ministry of Oil to cultivate talents. He wished China and Iraq continue to strengthen all-round cooperation in the fields of oil and energy.

Jian Fangning said in his speech that the launch of the scholarship project not only reflects the stable cooperation between China and Iraq in the traditional oil field, but also carries the mission of people-to-people communication and cultural exchanges between the two countries, and injects vitality into the talent cultivation and dialogue of civilizations.

Lu Lize stated that it is the company's responsibility to train petroleum professionals for Iraq and to promote youth exchanges and scientific research cooperation between China and Iraq. He hoped that the scholarship winners will work hard, shoulder the responsibility of the times, devote themselves to the great cause of oil construction, and make due contributions to promoting the development of Iraq's oil industry and the friendship between China and Iraq.

Launching ceremony group photo with the Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Minister of Oil Hayan Abdul-Ghani, the Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Iraq Jian Fangning, the Deputy General Manager of ZhenHua Oil Lu Lize and the Iraqi student representatives receiving the acceptance letters from Southwest Petroleum University

(Yang Yan)