UNIVERSITI Teknologi Mara (UiTM) recently became one of the first universities in the country to receive oil and gas (O&G) software licenses donated by Schlumberger, a leading oilfield services company.
Licences for the Petrel platform, the ECLIPSE simulator, the Techlog platform, the PIPESIM steady-state multiphase flow simulator and Merak Peep, were awarded to the university’s O&G Engineering Department in the Chemical Engineering Faculty.
The software, which were used in the industry, would be taught to students pursuing the Bachelor of Engineering in Oil and Gas.
Lessons on the software will be embedded in modules, such as geology and reservoir engineering, O&G economics, and student capstone projects, namely field development plan and final-year assignment.
UiTM vice-chancellor Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Mohd Azraai Kassim said the O&G and energy sector plays a prominent role in the nation’s economy.
“Although the industry is facing a trying time due to uncertainty of crude prices, we are pleased to note that UiTM’s O&G engineering programme is still popular among applicants.
“By working closely with industrial partners like Schlumberger, we can provide a robust and competitive environment that prepares innovative and ethical students for careers in public and professional practice.”
To explore new frontiers, Azraai said the university had to embrace collaboration and openness.
“UiTM is honoured to receive software worth millions from Schlumberger, which will expose our students to a seamless learning experience in production forecast, reservoir optimisation, and other useful applications to develop critical analysis of field and reservoir management.
“We are proud to be one of the first universities in Malaysia to adopt Schlumberger’s software into our curriculum.
“Exposure to current industrial software will provide a value-added experience to enhance students’ learning and skills.”
Schlumberger Information Solutions southeast Asia operations manager Haitao Sun said the company aimed to improve the world’s energy supply, which was unsustainable in the long term.
“We must find new and disruptive ways to continue powering the earth. To fill the gap, we need to connect digital technology with our geologists and engineers.
“Only by exposing the best technologies that we have to the students and professors in universities and supporting their education, can we bring new innovation and ideas to the industry. That is the motivation behind our software donation,” said Sun.
Present were UiTM deputy vice-chancellor (research and innovation) Professor Dr Mohd Nazip Suratman and UiTM Chemical Engineering Faculty dean Associate Professor Ir Dr Syed Shatir Asghrar Syed Hassan.