Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has marked the graduation of 93 of its sponsored scholars who successfully completed their academic studies at universities at home and abroad.
The batch, the 30th in PDO’s history, included 17 women and 76 men who studied a wide variety of subjects as part of PDO’s scholarship programme. In total, more than 2,000 students have graduated through the scheme since its launch in the 1980s.
This year, eight staff graduated with PhD degrees, 42 with Master’s degrees and 43 with Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees. The scholarships included overseas and domestic studies, distance learning, part-time studies and scholarships sponsored by other parties such as His Majesty’s Postgraduate Studies Scholarships initiative and the Ministry of Higher Education.
The scholars gained their qualifications in different specialisations including electrical power engineering, chemical and process engineering, petroleum engineering, control systems and automation, project management, business administration, reservoir evaluation management, petroleum geoscience, exploration geophysics, petroleum and natural gas engineering and translation and interpreting studies from universities in the UK, Australia, Japan, the US and Oman.
The official graduation ceremony was held in the PDO Learning and Development Centre at Mina Al Fahal.
Speaking at the event, PDO learning and development manager Hamed Al Hadhrami said: “The graduates have learned the skills, knowledge and techniques related to their disciplines to be able to cope with the current changes in the modern oil and gas industry, particularly those associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Their academic prowess will enable the Company to move forward to ever greater success, serving Oman to the very best of our ability.
“I congratulate all the scholars for achieving such impressive milestones which will allow them to contribute effectively to the sustainable development of our company and country. I also thank all those who contributed to the success of this graduation including the Ministry of Oil and Gas and Ministry of Higher Education.”
PDO managing director Raoul Restucci, who also attended the ceremony, said: “The annual graduation of PDO scholars highlights our dedication to achieving our vision of being renowned and respected for the excellence of our people and the value we create for Oman and all our stakeholders.
“I praise all the graduates for their successful and well-earned educational achievements. They have shown their commitment to flourish academically and occupationally and are already building outstanding careers and futures.”
