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Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development Spotlights Importance of Attracting and Retaining Next Generation of Engineers
Abu Dhabi, UAE – 12 November 2014 – His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, formally visited the Young ADIPEC pavilion at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference (ADIPEC) 2014 today.
The next generation of engineers had the opportunity to meet H.E. Sheikh Nahyan, patron of the Young ADIPEC programme, and demonstrate their skills and abilities in a host of industry-related activities. Students from visiting schools were inspired by the Minister's visit, presenting to him some of their achievements in the programme, from their expertise in the energy sector to the cutting-edge videos from their site visits.
“The youth of today are our most important investment and asset, and it is essential that we encourage them to enrol in engineering programmes and follow a career path in the oil and gas industry. Through Young ADIPEC, students are exposed to a host of fields, from environmental issues to oil production,” H.E. Sheikh Nahyan said.
“We must have our youth take charge and succeed, as they determine the future of the industry. Engaging initiatives like Young ADIPEC are key to making this happen.”
During the tour, H.E. Sheikh Nahyan was also joined by H.E. Suhail Al Mazrouei, the UAE Minister of Energy, and H.E. Abdulla Nasser Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).
Young ADIPEC offers students between the ages 14 and 17 from schools across Abu Dhabi an exciting line-up of events, including site visits and competitions, designed to encourage young people to choose a career in the oil and gas industry. This year's programme is hosting 240 students from Abu Dhabi and the Western Region, a 35 per cent increase from last year.
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.
Mr Ali Khalifa Al Shamsi, ADIPEC 2014 Chairman, and Strategy and Coordination Director, ADNOC said: “As we enter the post-easy oil era, we need to utilise technology, tools and talent to enable continuing energy security for all.”
“It is imperative to engage the next generation of oil and gas professionals. The innovative Young ADIPEC presents a series of interactive learning opportunities for students at schools, colleges and universities.”
“The strong, wise leadership of the Abu Dhabi Government and the ADNOC Group of Companies, supported by our Director General, has laid the sound foundations to nurture young talent, broaden the scope for working women, and develop technology to meet challenges head-on and take advantage of boundless opportunities for the next 30 years.”
H.E. Sheikh Nahyan also toured the ADIPEC exhibition halls, where he was accompanied by Samuel Palmisano, former President and Chief Executive Officer of IBM, the global IT and consultancy giant.
“I am impressed by the sheer size and volume of the show. It is truly incredible and allows the best minds to convene and share ideas, knowledge and expertise that address the toughest challenges in the industry,” Palmisano said.
H.E. Sheikh Nahyan said: “It is extremely important that we organise events like ADIPEC in Abu Dhabi because this industry forms the backbone of our economy. By bringing the world's greatest minds under one roof, introducing the latest technologies, and addressing the impending issues in the energy sector, we are able to both learn and share knowledge.”
The first phase of the Young ADIPEC programme took students on trips to some of the leading oil and gas companies, including ADNOC, Al Mazroui Engineering, Total, Schlumberger, and Weatherford.
Students experienced different aspects of the industry, including technology centres, production plants, oil wells, and refineries, with their experiences recorded onsite in video diaries displayed on an interactive photo wall at the Young ADIPEC stand.
“As the challenge of recruiting a talented workforce becomes even tougher, education is key to achieving the UAE's energy goals. Young ADIPEC is about bringing industry and education closer together,” said Jean-Philippe Cossé, ADIPEC 2014 Event Director, Energy, at dmg events.
“By ensuring that the students of today get access to the latest world-class industrial knowledge and experience, we create the oil and gas industry workforce of the future.”
A host of other engaging and experiential activities is taking place at the Young ADIPEC stand this week. These include an Energy Quiz game, sponsored by Total, in which students test their knowledge about energy, a show and tell zone, where students attend interactive and engaging discussions and demonstrations on different aspects of the oil and gas industry, and a treasure hunt where students undertake a series of industry-related tasks.
The Young ADIPEC Edutainment Zone contains a dedicated area for the Petroleum Institute, where students carry out live experiments and discuss course options.
The sponsors of Young ADIPEC are ADNOC, Total, Partex, Petrofac, Halliburton, Weatherford and Al Mazroui Engineering.
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