WA unis to train Chinese managers for natural gas industry

Curtin University of Technology and The University of Western Australia have commenced working with the natural gas industry to provide training programs to Chinese managers about the downstream gas business.

Curtin and UWA have set up The Australian Centre for Natural Gas Management and have been jointly contracted by the WA Department of Industry and Resources to deliver training to Chinese managers from Guangdong province.

In addition to the China training program, Curtin and UWA have also set aside money for joint research projects related to the oil and gas industry.

Curtin Vice-Chancellor Professor Jeanette Hacket said the initiative springs from the Federal Government's $25 billion contract to supply LNG to Guangdong province for the next 25 years.

"We see this as a great opportunity to build more expertise to support the Western Australian gas export industry," Professor Hacket said.

The second cohort of Chinese managers is currently in WA undertaking the six-month training program.

The joint training program consists of Master of Business Administration style management modules, English language training, training on aspects of the downstream gas industry, including regulation, the role of gas for power generation, industry use and city gas grids, and contracts in the industry.

Curtin has been involved in developing the collaborative program since 2003.

The program is the result of a consultative design process with the NorthWest Shelf, the Chinese Government and the Department of Industry and Resources to ensure that it delivers what the Chinese companies need.

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Curtin and UWA train Chinese managers to manage natural gas

Curtin University of Technology is working collaboratively with The University of Western Australia and the natural gas industry in providing high quality training programs to Chinese managers about the downstream gas business.

Curtin and UWA have set up The Australian Centre for Natural Gas Management through which they have been jointly contracted by the WA Department of Industry and Resources to deliver training to Chinese managers from Guangdong province.

Curtin Vice-Chancellor Professor Jeanette Hacket said the initiative springs from the Federal Government's $25 billion contract to supply LNG to Guangdong province for the next 25 years.

"We see this as a great opportunity to build more expertise to support the Western Australian gas export industry," Professor Hacket said.

"Curtin Business School (CBS) is the driving force in coordinating these world-class training programs," she said.

The second cohort of Chinese managers is currently in WA undertaking the six-month training program.

The joint training program consists of Master of Business Administration style management modules, English language training, training on aspects of the downstream gas industry, including regulation, the role of gas for power generation, industry use and city gas grids, and contracts in the industry.

CBS program coordinator Ms Cisca Spencer said Curtin has been involved in developing the collaborative program since 2003.

"We have been collaborating on a consultative design process with the NorthWest Shelf, the Chinese Government and the Department of Industry and Resources to ensure that what we deliver is actually what the Chinese companies want," Ms Spencer said.

"We have already had some success in delivering gas-related training elsewhere, for example to the Korean company Kogas and the Indonesian pipeline operator PGN," she said.

"The joint training program involves visits to industry and regulators and provides a wonderful opportunity for the future leaders of the Chinese gas industry - many of whom will go through our program in the next five to 10 years - to build business and personal links in WA.

"In addition to the China training program, Curtin and UWA have set aside money for joint research projects related to the oil and gas industry too," she said.