Institutional Cooperation for Capacity Building of a Petroleum Engineering Department: A Case Study

摘要

Pakistan requires intensive exploration activities and rapid development of its indigenous oil and gas resources.A well trained professional human resource,equipped with modern tools and skills,is essentially required.To achieve this,the Norwegian Centre of Excellence for Petroleum Studies(NCEPS)at NED University was established through collaborative efforts of NED University of Engineering & Technology(NEDUET)Pakistan and Norwegian University of Science & Technology(NTNU)Norway,in close cooperation with Petroleum Industry,under the umbrella of Pak-Norway,Institutional Cooperation Program.The establishment of NCEPS included a six-pronged approach for capacity building of Petroleum Engineering Department at NEDUET.These included: i)post graduate studies and training programs for faculty members and laboratory staff,ii)strengthening of laboratory and office resources,iii)development of Master program,iv)transfer of technology,v)initiation of collaborative research,and vi)development of linkages between the two universities and the petroleum industry.The main objective was achieved through capacity building of academic staff and strengthening of laboratory facilities at NED Universities.Among faculty members,four received master's degree,three were trained on latest teaching techniques,two received capacity building in research and five laboratory engineers were trained on laboratory equipment handling and operation.It also included a special training on drilling simulator at Abu Dhabi.Strengthening of laboratory resources have been undertaken through procurement of state-of-the-art research equipment.Master's program was also developed in collaboration with NTNU and industry.Transfer of latest teaching techniques has been acquired.A video conferencing facility was also developed to provide effective communication and learning opportunities.Sustainable linkages between academia and industry were enhanced.The petroleum engineering department shows significant improvement in providing quality education,professional training and industry-oriented research.The experience was shared with other institutions in the country.Sustainable linkages have been developed between the two universities and the industry.This paper provides details of these tri-partite collaborative efforts.