UPES eyes foreign shores

The University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) is planning to set up campuses in Dubai, Qatar, Vietnam, Egypt, Nigeria, Sudan and Khazakastan in the next five years.

“Some of these international campuses may come up next year as there is a need to develop talent there. We have identified local partners in these places for joint ventures,” said Parag Diwan, vice-chancellor, UPES. The university already has three campuses in the country at Dehradun, Gurgaon and Rajahmundry (Andhra Pradesh).

The university is also bullish on its foreign alliances and is in touch with Australian and American universities like the University of Oklahoma and Adelaide University. Agreement has been signed in the areas of joint research, faculty exchange and student exchange programmes.

However, the university has not been immune to the slowdown affecting the world. Large firms are not visiting the campus, The university is targeting smaller firms to get campus placements going. “Last year, around 285 companies came for placements. This year, the number is lesser though we expect that we will place 90 per cent of the students in the next two-three months. Salary has stayed at 2008 levels,” noted Diwan.

Around 40 per cent of the students have already been placed with the Rs 20 lakh being the highest offered salary by an international oil and gas company.