From July 1st to 12th, 2025, a delegation of 25 students from China University of Petroleum-Beijing at Karamay (CUPK), led by three faculty members, traveled to Atyrau Oil and Gas University (AOGU) in Kazakhstan for a summer industrial internship program.

The 12-day program, featuring multi-faceted activities including professional internships, cultural exchanges, and corporate visits, serves as a vital platform to strengthen educational cooperation among Belt and Road Initiative partner countries and cultivate future energy professionals.

At the welcome ceremony hosted by AOGU, Rector Shakulikova Gulzada emphasized that young people are core to enhancing cooperation. She expressed hope that the students would gain both knowledge and valuable connections through this practical experience. Peng Wei, Head of the Chemical Engineering and Environment Department at CUPK's Faculty of Engineering, encouraged the students to seize the opportunity. He noted that amidst deepening China-Kazakhstan friendship, young scholars should strive to be not only practitioners of professional knowledge but also youth ambassadors fostering bilateral ties.

During corporate visits, the delegation gained significant industry exposure:

At Kazakhstan's National Oil and Gas Company, CUPK participants closely examined crude oil samples and cores extracted from the Atyrau region.

The Caspian Institute of Oil and Gas Design provided a systematic introduction and demonstration of the design logic and common applications of petrochemical plants and natural gas processing stations.

In workshops at the New Tech System Group Company, students observed the shearing process for stainless steel pipes and learned about the specialized functions of thermal insulation materials.

Visits to Schlumberger (Atyrau Branch), the world's largest oilfield technology services company, and the North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC) offered in-depth insights into leading industry trends.

Additionally, guided by Peng Wei, CUPK students visited the Chemical Laboratories at an AOGU branch campus, engaging with professional knowledge such as wastewater chlorine content determination, automated oil element analysis, and oil product physical property testing.

The program also included practical skill development:

Participants actively engaged in safety training for working at heights and learned essential first-aid knowledge at the APEC training company.

AOGU professors offered guidance on resume writing, professional attire standards, and effective language expression at the Bolashak Group plant.Meanwhile, CUPK students showcased their initiative during an "English Self-Introduction Session" themed around anthropomorphic office supplies.

Cultural immersion was a key component:

The delegation visited significant sites including Panfilov 28 Memorial Park and the Central State Museum of Kazakhstan.

They attended AOGU's graduation ceremony.

     Furthermore, they explored the historical and cultural site of "Saraychik Ancient City" alongside peers from Russia's Tyumen Industrial University.

      Participants shared their reflections:

Wu Zhongcheng, a 2022 undergraduate in Petroleum Engineering, stated the program provided a deep understanding of the differences in oil and gas resources and extraction technologies between China and Kazakhstan, reinforcing his commitment to a career in the oil field.

Liu Yanchen, a 2024 Russian Language undergraduate, expressed heartfelt appreciation: "Through conversations with Kazakh friends, I experienced the genuine warmth and simplicity of the Kazakh people. I found myself appreciating the unique charm of Kazakh culture." She found particular fulfillment in applying her professional skills to build closer connections.

Li Boyu, a leading teacher from CUPK, summarized the program's value: "This initiative not only provided a transnational practical platform in the oil and gas sector but also facilitated in-depth dialogue between Chinese and Kazakh youth in the energy field through the dual-track approach of 'professional expertise and cultural exchange'."

This summer industrial internship represents a significant initiative by CUPK to advance international talent cultivation. It is both an active response to China-Kazakhstan energy cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and a concrete step towards fulfilling CUPK's mission of "cultivating high-caliber professionals with a global perspective." Moving forward, CUPK faculty and students remain committed to injecting vitality into bilateral cooperation and jointly building bridges of friendship.