Zhang Hongyan, Mayor of Karamay (left) meets with Zhang Laibin (right), president of the China University of Petroleum (Beijing) on August 12. [Photo by Jiang Chi, Karamay Daily]

Zhang Hongyan, mayor of Karamay met with Zhang Laibin, president of the China University of Petroleum (Beijing) on August 12.

"I would like to extend my warmest welcome to all of you to Karamay. I believe the Karamay campus of China University of Petroleum (Beijing) will be better with your support," said Zhang Hongyan, mayor of Karamay, during his meeting with the president of the China University of Petroleum (Beijing).

"I went to Karamay about 20 years ago. Today, I'm deeply impressed with the great changes over the past 20 years. The Karamay campus of China University of Petroleum (Beijing) is taking shape with the support of the municipal government of Karamay. I hope the campus will bring about high-level talent in the near future," said Zhang Siwei, former president of China University of Petroleum (Beijing).

According to Zhang Hongyan, building a university has been the mutual dream for several generations of petroleum professionals . Although Karamay's elementary education is among the best in Xinjiang and even the country, it is desperately in need of an institution to make up for its weakness in higher education.

"In the mean time, as a city that depends on oil, Karamay faces crises in resources, talent, and city development. New thoughts are needed for sustainable development. All of these will be achieved through education.Establishing a university is made possible by joint efforts and mutual help," Zhang Hongyan continued to say.

Zhang Laibing said that Karamay has helped the university with training engineers, graduate employment, academic exchanges, and scientific research for a long time. Because of the special mechanism of Karamay city and Xinjiang Oilfield Cooperation, the two have cooperated successfully in student cultivation and graduate employment.

He hopes the parties will take better advantage of Karamay's unique strengths and the education edge of the University to build a science and technology university that is international and application-oriented.

"We will try our best to overcome all kinds of difficulties to support the China Petroleum University (Beijing) in establishing its Karamay campus and thus contribute to China’s oil industry," said Zhang Hongyan.

Wang Jun, member of the standing committee of the Karamay’s Party Committee and the vice Mayor of Karamay also attended the meeting.

Edited by Andrew Ancheta