This year marks 30 years of the MSc course in Petroleum Geology at the University of Aberdeen and to celebrate this milestone a special programme of events has been planned for the end of November.
All of the 400-plus alumni who have studied the MSc in Petroleum Geology course at the University, most of whom are currently working within the petroleum industry, have been invited to attend a forum and anniversary party on Friday, November 26.
The symposium, Future Geological Challenges in Energy Education, has been generously supported by Apache, BG, BP, Cairn, ExxonMobil, ChevronTexaco, Shell, Statoil, Talisman and Total.
A full programme has been lined up for the day of the symposium. Professor C Duncan Rice, Principal and Vice Chancellor, will welcome the guests. Professor John Kaldi, Head of the Australian School of Petroleum, University of Adelaide , South Australia , will give a presentation, Is there a future for professionals in the petroleum industry? This will be followed by, University education for careers in petroleum exploration: challenges, rewards, and obstacle being covered by Dr Roger Slatt, Director of the School of Geology and Geophysics and Eberly Family Chair, University of Oklahoma . Finally, Future training needs: the perspective from a major oil & gas company, will be presented by Ian Vann, Chief Technology Office r of BP.
A vital part of the forum will be an alumni brainstorming session where delegates will have the chance to have their say and share their ideas with the panel. Included in the debate will be, How should we prepare our MSc Petroleum Geology students for work in the energy sector?
After a stimulating and thought-provoking day at the symposium, what better way to unwind and have some fun than at the celebratory dinner and salsa night which will be held in the evening in Elphinstone Hall.
Fine food, salsa music – with a dancing demonstration for the uninitiated – and the chance to meet fellow alumni, students and Geology staff past and present at this 30 th anniversary party. Partners, spouses, friends and colleagues are all welcome!
The evening will give guests a rare opportunity to meet with fellow alumni working within their field, to compare ideas and experiences. Be part of the celebration!
On Saturday, November 27, staff from the Geology Department will open its doors to alumni from 10.00am till 12noon. Alumni are invited to come along and re-visit the labs and teaching rooms that were home to them as a student. There will be the chance to ‘hang out' for the morning so that they can meet fellow alumni. Staff from the department will be on hand to show them round and explain about what's on offer in today's courses.
Between 2.00 and 3.00pm, Dr Malcolm Hole will conduct a guided tour of the rocks and stones used in Old Aberdeen. Starting at Seaton Park , visiting St Machar Cathedral and then returning to the High Street, the tour will then finish at the St Machar Bar.
A field trip to Stonehaven has also been planned between 2.00 and 6.00pm. Professor David Macdonald and George Downie challenge alumni to take a field trip down memory lane and join them on the bus to Stonehaven for an afternoon of nostalgia - and education!
Professor David MacDonald, Professor of Petroleum Geology, said: “The MSc course in Petroleum Geology at the University of Aberdeen has now passed its 30th year. It has been a remarkably successful course, with more than 400 graduates employed across the full range of the petroleum industry.
“The University is extremely proud of the success of our Geology and Petroleum Geology alumni and we will be holding this special alumnus event from November 25-28, with a varied programme of social as well as serious events to celebrate this milestone, and to help us prepare for the challenges that lie ahead in the next three decades to come.”
The costs for the weekend have been able to be kept to a minimum due to generous sponsorship. For alumni attending the symposium the cost will be £10 and for the anniversary dinner £35.
Anyone interested in attending the anniversary celebrations being organised by the University should contact Laura Moncur, Alumnus Office r, University of Aberdeen, on: (01224) 262032 or email: l.moncur@abdn.ac.uk