CNOOC Uganda Limited today held a dinner to send off the winners of their Scholarship Program. The dinner was attended by various stakeholders from both the public and private sectors as well as CNOOC Limited’s management and employees.
Speaking at the dinner, Mr. Jin Weigen, Vice President of CNOOC Uganda Limited, stated that as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility activities, CNOOC Uganda Limited in partnership with the Chinese Embassy in Uganda offers opportunities in higher education to Ugandan nationals. This program is a part of CNOOC Limited efforts to increase the national content participation in the Oil and Gas industry as well as equip Ugandans with advanced skills to improve their livelihoods.
This year 2015, one hundred Ugandans applied for the program. After a rigorous screening process, three people emerged winners; with two of them winning scholarships to study the Bachelors’ Degree in Petroleum Engineering and the one winning scholarships for the Masters’ Degree in Oil and Gas Engineering.
All three students will pursue their studies at the University of Petroleum in Hua Dong, China which is directly affiliated to the Ministry of Education and boasts of a complete education system, nearly 20,000 full-time undergraduates, over 5,000 postgraduates, about 700 overseas students and more than 70,000 registered correspondence network students.
According to Mr. Jin, “The overwhelming number of applications we received for this year’s scholarship opportunity shows that there is a budding interest in the Oil and Gas sector amongst Ugandan nationals. CNOOC Limited’s commitment is therefore to support these students, who want to actively participate in the developing Oil and Gas Industry in Uganda.”
“The scholarship winners are going to be fully supported by CNOOC Uganda Limited which will cater for their travel, tuition fees and living allowances. We believe that when our scholarship winners return to Uganda, they will take up active roles in the fast-growing Oil and Gas industry,” Jin added.
Isaac Vuciiri, one of the recipients of a scholarship for the Master’s Program in Oil and Gas Well Engineering expressed his excitement at the opportunity to get a deeper understanding of the Oil and Gas industry. “I am eager to acquire the knowledge and skills that will make me a valuable resource to Uganda’s Oil and Gas industry.”
“Thanks to CNOOC Limited for providing me with this opportunity because I now see myself in the field which I had admired to be with passion,” stated Ritah Nassazi, a 2014 CNOOC International Scholarship student.
Patrick Kabanda, one of the 2014 International Scholarship students won a prize in the Petrobowl Knowledge Competition which is an indication what they are dedicated to their studies and the good performance.
I am excited about this opportunity and I believe we need more local skilled laborers in the Uganda Oil and Gas industry therefore scholarship will give me the chance to be part of this workforce,” commented Lucy Kaahwa from Hoima District, who won the 2016 International scholarship for a Bachelors’ Degree in Petroleum Engineering.
The Guest of Honor, Mr. Ernest Rubondo, the Acting Director, Directorate of Petroleum, commended CNOOC Limited for the initiative. “I would like to commend CNOOC Limited for giving back to the country in which they are operating. It is important for Ugandans to learn about what is a new and viable industry in order to be able to take advantage of the employment opportunities therein. We also need Ugandans offering technical support to the international companies that are already operating in the oil and gas industry.”
“I encourage the winners to use this opportunity very seriously and translate the knowledge and skills that they acquire into a means of improving their lives and building the oil industry in Uganda,” he added.