Given that the aim of the University of Guyana’s (UG) Institute for Energy Diplomacy (UGIED) is to deliver energy upskilling in line with local content requirements, CNOOC Petroleum Guyana (CPGL) is funding 18 scholarships for Professional Executive Energy Training.
The 18 scholarships which are to be coordinated by UGIED will enable individuals from remote areas of Guyana to undertake training in energy economics, finance, management, and law.
Noteworthily, nine of the eighteen scholarships are being awarded to applicants from indigenous tribes and districts outside of the capital city of Georgetown. CNOOC said this is in keeping with a fundamental aim of its International’s Corporate Social Responsibility policy that looks to support the education, training, and development of indigenous communities locally and internationally.
The grant was presented on Thursday by the President of CNOOC Guyana Liu Xiaoxiang at the company’s Georgetown office. It was received by Founding Director of UGIED Alex Armogan; UG’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Paloma Mohamed-Martin; and Director of UG’s Berbice Campus, Prof. Subramanian Gomalthinayagam.
At the handing over ceremony, President Liu remarked, “This signal of support is the beginning of a long-term partnership and a relationship between CPGL and the University of Guyana. We view these scholarships in alignment with our philosophy of teaching our Guyanese counterparts how to fish. We envision that this programme will continue to grow.”
In expressing appreciation to CNOOC, UG’s Vice-Chancellor underscored, “the great significance the University attaches to international partner support in helping the national University meet its enormous mandate of rapidly supporting the creation of the talent needed to fulfill local content mandates”.
She noted that this kind of initiative not only supports the national thrust but allows more people to get involved more quickly so that they can begin to benefit from the industry.
Further, Professor Mohamed Martin intimated that Guyana, a new producer of oil and gas, has lost valuable upskilling time in key areas of the industry due to the aggressive oil production in the Stabroek Block. It has been recognized that reducing time from discovery to production from an average of seven years to four years —which is a remarkable leap for Guyana— has however created a training gap and a steep learning curve in a complex industry that Guyana is new to. Be that as it may, the University, along with several other players, is working assiduously to fill this gap in similar record time, the Vice Chancellor assured.
The Institute for Energy Diplomacy launched its Professional Executive Training in June 2021 and currently offers courses in oil and gas value chain, energy markets, crude oil trading, and energy transport and shipping. UGIED’s portfolio of courses is expected to expand with additions in Oil and Gas Project Planning and Management, Energy Project Investment and Finance, and Oil and Gas Contract Law and Negotiations, among others.
The University’s Energy Executive courses are 100% online and are taught over two weeks by internationally recognized experts and academics.
According to the University, the CNOOC’s funding to the Institute for Energy Diplomacy Energy Executive Course Scholarships will have a nationwide capacity-building impact and specifically, an impact on energy education in indigenous and underserved areas.
