UG - Halliburton Collaborate To Ensure Real World Preparation for UG Students in Chemical, Petroleum and Mining Engineering - Multi-Million MUD Lab Commissioned
Tuesday, May 25, 2021 - 14:53UG-Halliburton Collaborate To Ensure Real World Preparation for UG Students in Chemical, Petroleum and Mining Engineering - Multi-Million MUD Lab Commissioned
(Georgetown/Guyana/DECC/The University of Guyana/May 22, 2021); Several hundred students in the University of Guyana’s Petroleum Chemical, Mechanical and Mining Engineering programmes will benefit from an enhanced practical experience with the commissioning of a MUD lab. The University of Guyana, in collaboration with Halliburton - one of the world's largest oil field service companies - on Friday, 21 May, in a simple ceremony, launched a Drilling Fluids Lab (MUD Lab) at the University of Guyana’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology at the Turkeyen Campus.
The lab is one of two which were negotiated during the GIPEX summit in November 2019. The other specific high-tech software modelling lab will be commissioned in the coming weeks.
The entire agreement ( MUD LAB, LandMark Computer Lab, training, Maintenance and Staff and Student Development) between UG and Halliburton is valued at US$2 . 2 Million or 4 billion Guyana dollars, of which the MUDD Lab project accounts for about US $20,000. The collaboration is aimed at facilitating enhanced training for students in the Departments of Petroleum and Geological Engineering, Chemistry and certain aspects of Earth and Environmental Sciences. Other aspects of the project includes maintenance, training, technical support for staff and student development.
At a simple ceremony held at UG's Faculty of Engineering and Technology Building, Turkeyen Campus and which was streamed live on Facebook, Vice-Chancellor, Xi, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin recalled that the conversation regarding how Halliburton could support the University started close to two years ago at a Petroleum Conference in Houston, USA, where she met Ms. Cecilia James Garcia whom she described as one of the most dynamic and focused young female engineers she has ever met. The Vice Chancellor also acknowledged the contributions made by area Manager for Halliburton Franci Delano, Ms. Grace Hustson , Fabiloa Martinez and current CEO in Guyana Mr. Vahman Jurai.
“Ms. Garcia felt that UG could be the only and first University in the entire Caribbean region that can have a lab like this, and I am happy to say that a year and a half to two years later we are realizing that dream,” Professor Mohamed said.
According to Professor Mohamed the Drilling Fluids Lab “is going to put our graduates far way ahead of the game in terms of their practical experience in analyzing fluids that are used on the FPSOs.”
The VC explained that the launching of the facility comes at a time when the University is about to roll out a suite of new programmes for persons who would like to specialize in certain areas, including eight professional courses that were developed and will be administered by the Institute of Energy Diplomacy starting this June.
Additionally, she disclosed that the University recently approved a Masters in Environmental Management and the School for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI) is rolling out a Procurement and Value Chain Master’s Degree very soon. This, is to join with the Associates Degree in Petroleum Engineering and the Masters in Petroleum Engineering as well as the Masters in Renewable Energy that is already being offered.
According to Halliburton Country Manager, Mr. Vahman Jurai, the drilling of fluids or drilling of mud is one of the main services the company provides in Guyana and is a fundamental part of its operations.
Mr. Jurai said: “From the start of our operations to present date we have been continually increasing our capacity as well as providing technical support and solutions to the market, we have significantly increased our portfolio solutions to the local energy. Presently almost 90% of our services come from Guyana, and at the end of this year we will be close to 100%.”
The Country Manager highlighted: “The gift of the Fluids Lab to the Faculty of Engineering and Technology is one of our initiatives in building capacity in Guyana. We view it as an investment in the future of the students who will grow to be potential industry leaders and who will shape the sustainability of the energy industry in Guyana.”
Mr. Jurai further noted: “The gift of information technology we will continue to work to share in shaping Guyana’s future for the University of Guyana to provide technical support, working closely with the fluid designs and management of the fluids lab.”
Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at the University of Guyana, Ms. Verlyn Klass, provided an introduction to the importance of the Drilling Fluids Lab and how it will be beneficial to students.
During her remarks, she noted that the lab will support the teaching of courses and give students an added advantage when seeking employment as Mud Technicians.
Mrs. Elena Trim, Dean at the time the project was initially negotiated and now present Head of Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, said: “I see we will have a greater future with the help of companies like Halliburton that always enhances programmes and helps students in other countries.”
The physical demonstration of the equipment in the Mud Lab was facilitated by Mr. Dinesh Baldeosingh, Technical Professional Senior, Halliburton; and Mr. Morris Solomon, Laboratory Technician, Halliburton.
Professor Mohamed expressed appreciation to various persons who worked diligently to ensure the project came to fruition; these include; Senior officials of Halliburton, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, staff from the Office of Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE) and the Tactical Online Services Unit (TOS) among others. The event was expertly chaired by Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology Mr. Basheer Khan.
Photo Caption: Vice-Chancellor, Xi, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, Guyana's Country Lead, Halliburton, Mr. Vahman Jurai; Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Ms. Verlyn Klass; Head of Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Mrs. Elena Trim; Technical Professional Senior, Halliburton, Mr. Dinesha Baldeosingh and Laboratory Technician, Halliburton, Mr. Morris Solomon cut the ribbon to officially launch the Drilling Fluids Lab at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at the University of Guyana.
Photo Caption: Physical demonstration being conducted by Mr. Morris Solomon, Laboratory Technician, Halliburton.
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UG IN BRIEF
The University of Guyana is the 58th year state University of Guyana. It offers 136 programmes in over 60 disciplines online and face-to-face in 8 campuses across Guyana. With a student population of now 10,000, UG has provided education, learning and research for over 50,000 alumni. The mission of the University is to discover, generate, disseminate and apply knowledge of the highest standard for the service of the community, the nation and of all mankind within an atmosphere of academic freedom that allows for free and critical inquiry. UG’s forward-thinking Blueprint 2040 is currently setting the course for the University’s future design and institutional response to the changing needs of Guyana.
All photos from the event held “en camera” due to Covid safety protocols enforced at UG can be found here -
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.169476805181800&type=3
Flashback:
MOU Signing at the Mariott in Georgetown, November 2019
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