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Memorandum Signed to Launch Master’s Programme in Offshore Well Design, Construction and Maintenance

Under the agreement, the Government of Sakhalin Oblast, Sakhalin Energy LLC, Tomsk Polytechnic University and Sakhalin State University will jointly train highly skilled professionals for Russia’s oil and gas sector. The programme will be delivered in Sakhalin Oblast.

“The launch of this Master’s programme serves two key objectives,” said Valery Limarenko, Governor of Sakhalin Oblast. “Firstly, to provide the oil and gas industry – which plays a pivotal role in the regional economy – with highly qualified personnel. Secondly, and equally importantly, to give young people from our island region the opportunity to gain a sought-after, future-focused speciality right here in their home region. Students will not only acquire theoretical knowledge but also learn from the practical experience of professionals. In due course, these young specialists will secure roles with leading companies offering some of the most competitive salaries in the sector. Together with our strategic partners, we are taking another significant step towards creating favourable conditions for youth career development and encouraging long-term population retention on the islands.”

Improving the quality and accessibility of education for Sakhalin’s workforce is essential to retaining talent in the region – a priority driven largely by the oil and gas sector.

“In the context of industrial development, it is vital to preserve historical professional expertise while adapting it to meet the real-world needs of business,” said Timur Gafarov, Deputy CEO for Sustainable Development and Novations at Sakhalin Energy LLC. “Given our deep specialisation in offshore field development, we are well placed to share our unique competencies and extensive practical experience. This will enable us to address a key priority in workforce development – ensuring a seamless transition from education into employment within one of the country’s most strategically important industries.”

The Master’s programme has been developed in line with international best practice and incorporates elements of next-generation higher education. Acting Rector of Tomsk Polytechnic University, Leonid Sukhikh, emphasised that the curriculum draws on TPU’s longstanding expertise and high educational standards in training oil and gas professionals, fully aligning with the requirements of its industrial partner.

“At the heart of this new programme lies engineering as a mind-set and approach –characterised by rigorous methodologies, a robust project culture, and accountable decision-making for complex offshore projects,” added Mr Sukhikh. “Through an intensive modular format that balances theory and practice across core subject areas, engagement with leading industry practitioners, and collaborative group work, students will not only gain comprehensive insight into every stage of the process cycle but also develop engineering thinking, the ability to make evidence-based decisions, collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams, and manage risk.”

The hub for training the next generation of industry professionals will be established at Sakhalin State University, the region’s leading higher education institution. “The Master’s programme in Offshore Well Design, Construction and Maintenance will be launched within our Advanced Engineering School ‘Island Engineering’,” said Alexander Samardak, Rector of Sakhalin State University. “This marks a pivotal moment in the university’s development, requiring the creation of dedicated learning environments and the redesign of our educational processes to meet industry standards. The programme will act as a catalyst for systemic transformation across our institution, significantly enhancing the quality of specialist training.”

9 October 2025

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