Shell hosted 40 technical and non-technical students and career development advisors from Qatar University for an engagement session at the Qatar Shell Research & Technology Centre (QSRTC) located at the Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP). The session introduced the students to the Qatar Science & Technology Park, the oil and gas business in Qatar, GTL technology, and the opportunities, internships and sponsorships available to current students and graduates.
The session aimed at raising awareness on the oil and gas industry, focusing on the importance of gas in the State of Qatar. In partnership with Qatar Petroleum, Shell built the Pearl Gas to Liquids (GTL) project at Ras Laffan Industrial City. Pearl GTL is the largest project ever launched in Qatar and is the world’s largest GTL plant and has positioned Qatar as the GTL capital of the world.
“The energy industry in Qatar has seen exponential growth in recent years under the leadership of HH the Emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani and Qatar Petroleum. With Pearl GTL reaching full capacity by mid-year and more projects lined up on the horizon, the future of energy in Qatar looks very promising,” said Andy Brown Shell’s Executive Vice President. “It is our responsibility to present the next generations with the opportunities available to them, and to educate them on the energy challenges that they will face as industry leaders one day.”
Shell showcased its technological innovation, giving the students a tour of the facility and laboratory, explaining what type of research is done at QSRTC and demonstrating some experiments with GTL products such as cleaner burning fuels.
QSRTC General Manager Youssif Saleh said: “We have dedicated part of our facilities and time strictly for the transfer of knowledge. There is a great opportunity for us to support the growth of a knowledge based economy, especially by sharing information with students, faculty and professionals interested in the energy industry. This is in-line with the human development pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030.”
The learning centre at QSRTC is one of Shell’s premier learning hubs in the region. It provides interactive technical and managerial courses to Shell employees from Qatar and elsewhere. The learning centre also conducts external lectures and seminars in local universities as part of the commitment to transfer technology and knowledge to Qatar. More than 1500 participants from Shell and the region are annually trained in QSRTC. A state-of-the-art laboratory was opened in February 2009 that provides training and support to the ongoing programmes in the centre.
Other opportunities offered at Shell include the Shell Eco-Marathon, a global competition for students to build and run ultra fuel-efficient vehicles. It is held each year in Europe, the United States and Asia. Last year, teams from Qatar University and Texas A&M University at Qatar were the first universities from the Gulf Cooperation Council to ever participate.
Shell is spending up to $100 million over a 10-year period on a technology innovation and development programme at the Qatar Science & Technology Park.
