On 3 May 2017, Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) celebrated the graduation of 73 of its sponsored scholars who have successfully completed their studies at universities at home and abroad.
The 54 men and 19 women are the 29th sponsored batch to successfully qualify from courses in a range of disciplines since the company launched its flagship scholarship scheme in the 1980s. In total, more than 2,000 students have graduated through the programme.
In 2017, two qualified with PhDs and there were also 51 Master of Science (MSc) degrees, and 20 Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees, with 54 graduating from educational institutions overseas and 19 from universities and colleges in Oman.
The successful scholars, aged 23-35, studied subjects including exploration geophysics, oil and gas pipeline engineering, petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, process engineering, maintenance management, international securities, investment and banking, information technology, economics and business administration in the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States and Oman.
The official graduation ceremony was held under the auspices of His Excellency Dr Mohammed Al Rumhy, minister of oil and gas, at the ministry’s headquarters in Muscat.
Speaking at the event, Ibtisam Al Riyami, director, people and change, PDO, said: “PDO’s corporate vision is to be renowned and respected for the excellence of our people and the value we create for Oman and all our shareholders. And all those who have graduated are exemplars of that vision.”
“They have all shown the willingness and ability to learn at some of the finest academic centres in the world and their collective expertise and wisdom represent a treasure trove of knowledge for Oman, which will help to ensure that PDO and the Sultanate are equipped to meet both present and future challenges,” added Al Riyami.
“One of PDO’s main strategic goals is to attract, develop and retain Omani talent and these outstanding scholars are living proof of how we have turned our words into action. We are immensely proud of them,” declared Al Riyami.
“I congratulate all 73 students on their well-earned academic achievements and thank all those, past and present, who have helped in these achievements, including the ministry of higher education for its unstinting support, PDO’s own Learning and Development Centre, which has overseen the development of the scholars, and all the universities and colleges which have guided them through their studies,” concluded Al Riyami.
The ceremony also honoured the third batch of 16 graduates from the pioneering Overseas Grants and Educational Support Scheme, which PDO introduced in 2011 in response to His Majesty’s Postgraduate Studies Scholarships initiative. The company prepared a comprehensive policy to support Omani staff requesting a release from duty so they could continue full-time education through other sponsors.
Fourteen of the scholars made the grade after distance learning and part-time study courses, and three became the sixth batch to gain an MSc from the petroleum and natural gas engineering programme at Sultan Qaboos University, run in co-operation with PDO.
