Lecture Hall 7 at the Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname (AdeKUS) was officially opened and handed over to the university on Tuesday, 13 October, following renovation and modernisation. PetroChina Investment Suriname B.V. (PCIS) financed the work and the new furnishings. The lecture hall has capacity for approximately 80 people.
The renovation included work on the walls, floors, ceiling, lighting, electrical installations, windows and air conditioning. The space was also equipped with new seating, writing tablets, charging facilities and audiovisual equipment. The hall will be used for lectures, seminars, presentations and other academic activities.
The project resulted from discussions between PetroChina and AdeKUS on the need to improve university infrastructure. On 30 March 2026, both parties signed a cooperation agreement for the renovation and furnishing of Lecture Hall 7.
According to general director Li Guoyong, PetroChina aims to improve the learning environment for students, lecturers and researchers through the contribution. He stated that investing in education contributes to Suriname’s future. According to the company, education is one of the focus areas within its social programme, alongside healthcare and the environment.
The construction and renovation work was carried out by Clipper Vastgoed N.V. All Interior Solutions N.V. supplied and installed the furniture and interior fittings. An AdeKUS project team supervised the implementation, in cooperation with PetroChina representatives. The university’s UCIT team supported the installation of the multimedia systems.
During the handover ceremony, Li Guoyong and Virginia Asin-Oostburg, chair of the AdeKUS board, unveiled a commemorative plaque. Vice President Gregory Rusland and Li Guoyong then officially opened the hall by cutting the ribbon.
Those attending the gathering included Haidy Lindveld, representing the Minister of Education, Science and Culture, and Jia Jinyi of the Chinese embassy. Representatives of Staatsolie, the Confucius Instituut and the university also attended the opening.
PetroChina Investment Suriname is a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). Under production-sharing agreements with Staatsolie, the company holds rights for exploration, development and production in offshore blocks 14 and 15. Staatsolie participates in both blocks through its subsidiary Paradise Oil Company N.V.
