Six graduates from Aberdeen universities received awards from the First Minister Alex Salmond at the annual dinner for the Aberdeen, Highlands and Islands section of the Energy Institute on Thursday 28 February at the Marcliffe.
Three graduates from The Robert Gordon University's (RGU) Energy Centre and three graduates from the University of Aberdeen have been recognised for their performance in their respective courses and their success in progressing their careers in the energy sector.
RGU graduates Monica Lara, from Venezuela, Am-Ameen Kamaldeen and Eme Alikor, both from Nigeria each win £84, as well as one year's free membership at Graduate Level to the Energy Institute. In addition the Energy Institute makes an award of £250 jointly to RGU and the University of Aberdeen for the best overall student.
Chemical engineer, Monica Lara studied for an MSc in Petroleum Production Engineering at RGU and carried out her thesis project with BP. She is now working for BP as a surveillance engineer with responsibility for the surveillance planning and wells allocation for Everest and Lomond assets. She said, "I came to study at RGU because of the diversity of career options it offered through its energy courses and because of its location in Aberdeen. It has all worked out perfectly and winning this award from the Energy Institute is just the icing on the cake."
Eme Alikor studied for an MSc in Drilling and Well Engineering and is now a senior drilling engineer with Addax Petroleum, an independent oil producer in Nigeria. Eme worked for Baker Hughes INTEQ for eight years prior to studying at RGU and is grateful for the career opportunities that his degree has opened up.
Patience Dorgu from Nigeria studied for an MSc Safety Engineering and Risk Management at the University of Aberdeen. She is delighted to be one of the prizewinners and said: "
"The lecturers were keen to help me (and other students) fully understand the principles of reliability and risk management, and the safety engineering aspects of many engineering fields; mechanical, civil, structural, electrical, petroleum, geology including law.
"I have since returned to my MSc sponsors, Addax Petroleum in Nigeria, to continue with my employment, and find the MSc programme really helpful as I make a career progression into mainstream engineering in the Oil and Gas industry.
"I have found the MSc programme extremely helpful as I make a career progression into mainstream engineering in the oil and gas industry. I have enjoyed the experience at the University of Aberdeen so much that I hope to return in the future for the Engineering Doctorate programme or a PhD."
"The course makes you a thinking person ie you don't just take what the lecturer says verbatim and produce it just that way in the exams or course works - they encourage your own thoughts and input."
Denis Pinto is the Chairman of the Energy Institute – Aberdeen, Highlands and Islands Branch. He remarked that, "The standard of competition has been extremely high, and it has been very difficult to select and outright winner. We look forward to working with the successful graduates in future."