OPEC Vienna Energy Scholar Programme

Alumni welcome reception at Vienna City Hall

In September 2025, the Vienna Energy Scholar Programme (VESP) took place for the fifth time. The intensive week-long programme was organised by the OPEC in collaboration with the City of Vienna. This year's participants were 17 students from different fields of study of various universities in Vienna and the world-renowned University of Leoben, which has a partnership with OPEC.

Diverse programme

During their one-week programme, the participants were offered insights into the international oil market and current research on sustainability and new energy technologies. The statistics on the international economy, created by the OPEC, are also used by the UN for reports and outlooks on the global economy. The participants also attended presentations and engaged in discussions with the City of Vienna and Wien Energie (energy provider), who introduced their Smart City concepts and projects for the transition from natural gas to renewable energy production. The Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA) reported on the international energy policy and Austria's role therein, as well as the settlement policy for international organisations.

The participants' week was rounded off by a visit to the OPEC Fund for International Development and the OMV branch in Gänserndorf, where the company operates one of the world's leading research stations for geological research. Participant received their certificates from OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al-Ghais. Since 2021, a total of 70 students and young adults have participated in the programmes. This has resulted in a lively and regular exchange, with an annual alumni meeting for all graduates at Vienna City Hall.

About OPEC

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries was founded in 1960 and has its headquarters in Vienna since 1965. The following countries belong to OPEC: Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Republic of Congo, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and the United Arab Emirates. OPEC and VESP celebrated 60 years of being based in the Austrian capital. This makes OPEC the second-longest-residing international organisation in Vienna after the IAEA.