JOHOR BAHRU, JULY 2019 – The School of Chemical and Energy Engineering (SCEE) has successfully hosted 191 students and 5 lecturers from Akamigas Polytechnic of Palembang for the Oil & Gas Learning Experience (OG-X) 2019 Summer School. The summer school was conducted in two sessions: 6th to 20th July 2019 for Session 1, and 20th July to 3rd August 2019 for Session 2. This year marks the second year the same program was conducted following the success of the OG-X 2018 Summer School. OG-X 2019 was conducted in collaboration with the Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC) visit which aims to expose participants to the research activities conducted at SCEE. Over the course of two weeks, students were taught by scee’s experienced professors and lecturers from energy and petroleum engineering departments. Among the subjects taught were the principles of chemical engineering, materials and energy balance, organic chemistry, petroleum fluid analysis and reservoir fluid mechanics.
The Summer School OG-X was officiated by Prof. Datuk Dr. Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation on 7th July 2019. During his officiating speech, he welcomed and encouraged collaboration between UTM and international institution and expressed his hope that in addition to summer school, this program will help to extend a long term program involving both institutions. The opening ceremony was also attended by Prof. Dr. Mohd Ghazali Mohd Nawawi, Chair of SCEE, SCEE management as well as Ms. Amiliza Miarti, the Director of Akamigas Polytechnic of Palembang and Akamigas Assistant Directors.
Dr. Hasrinah Hasbulah, the Energy Engineering Director of SCEE who is also the OG-X director mentioned that the summer school was designed to provide a total learning experience to the participants that was not limited to in class session only. The participants had the opportunity to apply the theoretical part of their lesson during laboratory sessions at Gas Flow System Laboratory and Reservoir Engineering Laboratory. This is one of the major improvements done to this year’s program. In addition, the OG-X participants were also exposed to research field available in SCEE, UTM. Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC) provided participants the opportunity to be involved in various research activities including detailed explanation and hands-on experiments. Among the various fields introduced to the participants, membrane technology was a new area to the participants which helps to expose them to a potential area of study in future.
In order to provide a total student experience in UTM Johor Bahru, various outdoor activities were also organised including sports competitions between participants and UTM staff and students, Zumba dance workout and a visit to Johor Bahru famous attractions. In addition, a special game called OG-X Explorace was organised whereby participants were tested on their knowledge on Malaysian culture, food and tourist attractions which required them to be mobile around UTM Lake, Taman Tropika and Taman Rusa.
Mr. Albet Sicago, an OG-X 2019 participant and an Oil and Gas Production and Exploration student, mentioned that he was grateful for the learning and living experience in Malaysia and looking forward for the opportunity to come to Malaysia and possibly joining UTM in the future.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ismid Bin Md, Said Pro-Vice Chancellor (International), in his closing speech expressed his hope that the program and the collaboration between the two institutions will continue in years to come and welcome the participants to further their study in UTM in the future.
Token exchange between UTM DVCRI and Akamigas Director
Opening Ceremony of Summer School OG-X
Participants during active learning class session
Research and laboratory session
Participant was fabricating membrane at AMTEC
Zumba session in the evening
Explorace competition around UTM
Tour around Johor Bahru and Nusajaya
This news is written by Zulhairun Abdul Karim and Hasrinah Hasbullah