On September 12, CLDP, in coordination with the US Consulate in Basrah, Iraq, moderated a roundtable with representatives from local universities and the oil/gas industry to kick start a University – Industry project aimed at developing the local workforce through public and private partnerships in the oil and gas sector.  In Iraq, Oil and Gas companies, along with service providers, are contractually obligated to provide $5 million in training and workforce development.  Companies have been unable to meet their commitments due to a lack of consensus from the Government of Iraq (federal and provincial) on how to utilize the funds adequately.  The project offers a practical platform to create consensus among key stakeholders on how best to utilize and apply the available funds.  CLDP presented successful models from the region and provided examples of what dynamic university/industry partnerships can accomplish in terms of intellectual property rights, technology transfer, and labor force development.  Attending Oil and Gas companies and service providers also contributed to the discussion and pledged their commitment to support the Consulate and CLDP in establishing and moderating a mechanism that would improve the workforce and create a sustainable impact on local society.