Institute’s achievements in petroleum science discussed in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

Vice-Rector for Earth Sciences Danis Nurgaliev spoke at a symposium held at the Kim Chaek University of Technology.

The event, held on November 11th to 13th in Pyongyang,, brought together representatives from several countries, including Russia, China, and the United Kingdom.

Kazan University was represented at the symposium, whose theme was Science and Technology – Driving Forces for Development and Strategic Resources. Danis Nurgaliev and Ildus Chukmarov, Deputy Director for Continuing Education and Industrial Partnerships at the Institute of Geology and Petroleum Technologies, participated. The Vice-Rector delivered a welcoming address on behalf of the Russian delegation at the symposium’s opening ceremony, noting that scientific and techological cooperation would strengthen ties between countries and improve the well-being of their people. His address was warmly received by those present, as evidenced by the applause that interrupted it several times.

Russia was also represented by staff from Bauman Moscow State Technical University, St. Petersburg State University, Far Eastern Federal University, the Irkutsk Scientific Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and several other universities and institutions.

“The symposium’s opening ceremony took place in the Temple of Science and Technology in Pyongyang. Participants included Pak Ji-min, Rector of Kim Chaek University of Technology, representatives of the Russian Embassy in the DPRK, the Ministry of Education, and other agencies of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, as well as scientists from various countries,” said Danis Nurgaliev. “The conference was divided into five sessions. Ildus Chukmarov and I spoke at a session dedicated to research in Earth sciences and energy.”

In January, a delegation from KCUT, led by its Rector, visited Kazan University. During the visit, a cooperation agreement was signed between the sides to strengthen ties in education, science, and technology.

“During his visit to KFU, Park Ji-min was impressed by the high level of research at Kazan University. He was very impressed with the university’s laboratories, including those at the IGPT. He was enthusiastic about the idea of prospecting for oil and gas in the DPRK,” noted Danis Nurgaliev. “While visiting our Institute, the delegation from Pyongyang was given a general overview of the exploration and prospecting technologies developed by scientists there. I was asked to give a comprehensive overview report on this topic at the symposium.”

The report was titled Efficient Non-Seismic Methods for Hydrocarbon Exploration. Ildus Chukmarov spoke about the retraining and advanced training of professionals in petroleum geology at Kazan University.

“Our reports were listened to very attentively. Many questions were asked,” the Vice-Rector added. “Rector Park Ji-min suggested organizing a discussion on hydrocarbon exploration in the DPRK after my presentation. It took place the following day, and the Rector personally attended. After the closing ceremony of the conference, my colleagues from North Korea and I continued discussing this topic. Agreements were reached on specific actions in areas of interest. In particular, they agreed to send staff for advanced training in 2026 and to expeditiously develop a roadmap for oil exploration in the DPRK.”

On November 13th, representatives of Kazan Federal University met in Pyongyang with Alexander Matsegora, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

“During the meeting, cooperation between Russia and the DPRK was discussed. In particular, issues of coordinating the actions of Kazan Federal University and other organizations in geological exploration of the country’s territory were raised,” said Danis Nurgaliev, who on the occasion gifted a University commemorative plaque to the Ambassador.

The Ambassador had high praise for the presentations by Kazan Federal University leadership and noted the importance and necessity of conducting oil exploration in North Korea using high-tech methods developed by our scientists.

A news report about the symposium on North Korean Central Television featured Danis Nurgaliev’s opening address and focused on his presentation on hydrocarbon exploration in the country.

“During our visit, we held a series of meetings with management and experts from Kim Chaek University of Technology, where we voiced our proposal to improve the qualifications of the university staff and familiarize them with our hydrocarbon exploration technologies with the goal of implementing them in North Korea,” added Ildus Chukmarov.

The first six experts from Kim Chaek University of Technology are scheduled to arrive in Kazan for studies in May 2026. This event will mark the beginning of a major project for professional training provided to the friendly nation.