Oklahoma's reputation as an oil and gas state has drawn international attention to OU.

The China University of Petroleum-—Beijing senior executive delegation visited OU Tuesday to meet several university leaders and discuss future training initiatives.

Larry Grillot, College of Earth and Energy dean, Tom Landers, College of Engineering dean, Outreach Vice President James P. Pappas and other university leaders met with the delegation, said Richard Little, senior associate vice president for University Outreach.

The China University of Petroleum----—Beijing senior executive delegation is comprised of five individuals: the vice president of the university (who is heading the delegation), the dean and vice dean of petroleum engineering, a faculty member and the director of training, Little said.

A ceremony was held at 11:30 a.m. in the Thurman J. White Forum Building to dedicate OU as a training base for the China University of Petroleum—Beijing, Little said.

The China University of Petroleum—Beijing is "China's best university focused on oil-related majors," according to China's University and College Admission System website.

OU has done training with the China University of Petroleum--—Beijing and China's national oil company, PetroChina, over the past several years, Little said. OU has been requested to provide training for these and other Chinese companies because of its expertise in the College of Earth and Energy.

Little said that choosing OU to be the China University of Petroleum-—Beijing's training base is a great honor.

OU and the China University of Petroleum – Beijing verbally agreed to continue their discussions about setting up new training initiatives and opportunities, Little said.

Most of the initiatives involving faculty will take place during the summer so that faculty members won't have conflicts with the courses they teach, Little said. University Outreach has been working with Grillot, Pappas and Provost Nancy Mergler to discuss different training initiatives, making sure to not compromise or take away from faculty members' teaching time.

Additionally, Outreach coordinates with the energy industry to have tours and hands-on application, and in that case faculty aren't involved, Little said.

China is the largest emerging energy market in the world and Oklahoma is setting the standards for extracting oil, Little said. He said the partnership is great for OU, the College of Earth and Energy and OU Outreach.

"I think that it's a wonderful opportunity to share the training and research expertise of our faculty and also give our faculty an opportunity to interface with their counterparts in China," Little said.