The school is an annual two-week certificate program of the Caspian Center for Energy and Environment of ADA University held in partnership with the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, Azerbaijan is known for its oil and gas fields and production of carpets.

Of the nine students, seven are from Texas A&M International University, one is from Laredo Community College and one is from the University of the Incarnate Word.

During the two-week program, students will learn about the fundamentals of energy, energy law, energy economics, geopolitics of energy, environmental issues and strategic management.

According to the Caspian Center for Energy and Environment, students will also enjoy recreational opportunities, such as swimming in the Caspian Sea.

During the weekends, the summer school will offer excursions to various regions of Azerbaijan and different sites connected to the oil and gas industry.

Guillermo Dominguez, director of the school of engineering at TAMIU, will be accompanying the students to Azerbaijan.

“We picked the best students out of a pool of 60,” he said.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity and they will have the opportunity to learn another culture.”

The Caspian Center for Energy and Environment website states the applications for the school are reviewed by a committee.

The website states the competition is very tough and admission is based on a combination of proven interest, academic merit and professional experience in the energy and environment fields.

Marcus Martinez, a junior at TAMIU, said he was lucky to have been selected.

“I am excited to learn about the culture and more educational topics,” he said.

Martinez, who said this will be his first time traveling abroad, said he was excited for his first trip to take place in Azerbaijan.

The trip to Azerbaijan was made possible through an agreement between TAMIU and the Assembly of Friends of Azerbaijan.

In April, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar announced the Affiliation Agreement for Collaborative Education, which allowed two instructors to collaborate research, sponsorship of conferences and symposia exchanges of faculty and students, and education materials related to the international oil and gas industry.

Cuellar thanked the Assembly of Friends of Azerbaijan and its president, Kemal Oksuz, TAMIU President Ray Keck and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic, for their support.

“It’s a wonderful program,” Cuellar said. “I’m really excited.”

He added students will be able to learn about the culture and history of Azerbaijan.

Rosaura Eliamar Martinez, a senior at TAMIU, said she was grateful for this once in a lifetime opportunity.

“This is a hands on experience,” she said.

With the development of TAMIU’s Petroleum Engineering Program, Rosaura Martinez said the knowledge received in the summer school could be implemented in the upcoming program.

(Judith Rayo may be reached at 728-2567 or jrayo@Lmtonline.com)