Rosneft Oil Company entered into a tripartite agreement focused on human resource development with the Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon, India, and St Petersburg State University (SPbU), Russia. The document was signed by Igor Sechin, the CEO of Rosneft Oil Company, SPbU Rector Nikolai Kropachev and MDI Director Professor Arvind Sakhai. The agreement was formalized at the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in 2025, an event recognized for bringing together stakeholders from business and government sectors.
Agreement Details
The collaboration aims to create a structured training ecosystem by integrating academic expertise from SPbU and MDI with Rosneft’s industry-specific requirements. The programs will be developed and delivered jointly by the Graduate School of Management at SPbU and MDI Gurgaon. These programs are designed to address multiple career levels within Rosneft.
Course content will include exploration, production, refining, supply chain management, logistics, artificial intelligence applications, and digital transformation. Case studies from Rosneft’s operations will serve as the foundation of the curriculum, enabling participants to implement theoretical concepts to real-world industry contexts.
Knowledge Exchange Component
The agreement includes an exchange initiative through which Rosneft employees will conduct study visits to Indian energy companies and related infrastructure facilities. This component is designed to facilitate cross-cultural learning and the transfer of operational practices. Feedback and insights gained from these exchanges will be incorporated into future program iterations.
Background and Institutional Roles
St Petersburg State University has partnered with Rosneft since 2008. The Graduate School of Management at SPbU has previously delivered professional development and retraining programs for the company and participated in infrastructure and scholarship initiatives. To date, more than 1,500 Rosneft employees have completed training programs at the university.
MDI Gurgaon offers an international academic dimension to the partnership. Founded in 1973 by the Industrial Finance Corporation of India, the institute holds dual international accreditations from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA). It is also accredited by India’s National Board of Accreditation (NBA). MDI’s inclusion in the agreement extends the scope of the collaboration to incorporate management education aligned with global standards.
Implementation and Oversight
To manage the program, the three institutions will form joint working groups. These groups will be charged with curriculum development, faculty coordination, and the selection of program participants. Periodic evaluations will ensure the curriculum reflects current trends in energy-sector technology and operations. The feedback mechanism from site visits will contribute to continuous improvement.
The agreement supports Rosneft’s focus on long-term talent development in a rapidly evolving energy sector. The integration of academic and operational inputs is designed to provide employees with updated competencies in management, technology, and digitalization. The initiative also contributes to broader academic and industrial cooperation between India and Russia.
About Rosneft
Rosneft is a integrated energy company headquartered in Moscow, Russia, and is among the world’s largest publicly traded oil producers. It engages in the exploration, production, refining, and distribution of oil and gas, operating across key regions in Russia and globally. Majority-owned by the Russian government through Rosneftegaz, Rosneft plays a key role in the national energy sector. The company manages vast reserves and modern refining capacities, with a strong focus on energy efficiency, innovation, and sustainability. Rosneft is a key player in global energy markets and maintains robust partnerships across India, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. In India they are partners of Nayara Energy.
