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Adipec plans programme to inspire Emirati students

ABU DHABI, October 14, 2014

Young Adipec, an outreach programme aligned with the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Conference and Exhibition (Adipec), will offer students from schools across Abu Dhabi an exciting line-up of events designed to encourage youngsters to choose a career path into the oil and gas industry.

The initiative will provide students from the ages of 14 to 17 with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the energy sector through a series of fun and engaging activities, including site visits and competitions. The programme will host 240 students from Abu Dhabi and the Western region, a 35 per cent increase from last year.

Such programmes play a critical role in attracting the younger generation to the energy sector and setting up a substantial local talent pool for the future, say experts in the industry.

Ali Khalifa Al Shamsi, chairman, Adipec 2014, and strategy and coordination director at the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), said: “Adipec welcomes the participation of schools and universities. The next generation of oil and gas professionals will be the result of partnerships between industry and education.”

Al Shamsi added: “Pooling such knowledge and expertise will create a situation that is attractive to talented young engineers, and potential scientists, to our dynamic industry.”

According to figures from the Ministry of Higher Education, only 22 per cent of Emirati men were enrolled in engineering programmes during the 2011-2012 academic year, with a third (33 per cent) enrolled in business programmes. Figures were even lower for Emirati women, with only 11 per cent enrolled into engineering programmes.

Sultan Al Hajji, vice president and chief strategy officer, Total E&P UAE, said: “The oil industry is facing talent scarcity globally, and the challenge of finding competent Emirati talent is becoming tougher. We should make the energy sector an attractive career path for students today so that they select their education stream accordingly. We should also ensure that Emiratis get the latest world-class practical industrial knowledge and experience through collaboration with international oil companies.” – TradeArabia News Service
 




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