Cnooc sponsors students in petroleum courses

By Pascal Kwesiga & Bill Rwothungeyo     

 

 

The two masters and three undergraduate students will pursue their courses at China University of petroleum for three and four years respectively. 

 

The beneficiaries – Ritah Nassazi, Patrick Kabanda, Rahaman Ssajjabi, Lameck Mbangaye and Siraje Wanambwa are expected to report to the University on September 29 to commence studies.

 

Chen Kai, who represented the Cnooc president at the sendoff dinner of the beneficiaries of the corporation’s international sponsorship program at Serena Hotel in Kampala on Friday, said the sponsorship covers all the students’ allowances, living, accommodation bills and flights back to Uganda upon completion of their courses.

 

“We hope they will return and take up active roles in the Oil industry. We initiated this program (sponsorship) to help the Ugandan youth take up these courses so that they can participate in the industry,” Kai said.

 

He observed the oil and gas industry has enormous opportunities for Ugandans in future. Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Kabanda commended Cnooc for “a vote of confidence in them” and for giving them the sponsorship opportunities.

 

“Cnooc will be our first choice of employment when we come back to Uganda. We hope the course will be very useful to us,” he added.

 

Aminah Bukenya, Cnooc’s public relations supervisor said two of the five slots were ring-fenced to students from Hoima where the corporation operates. 

 

Cnooc received a production license to develop Kingfisher oil discovery area from government in 2013. Kingfisher discovery field is located in Kyangwali Sub County in Hoima district. 

 

The sendoff dinner was attended by the Hoima district chairman, George Bagonza, and the area Member of Parliament Julius Junjura.

 

The state minister for minerals, Peter Lokeris told the beneficiaries that the knowledge they will receive during the course of their studies can be applied in every part of the World, adding,“Many people are going to be educated through these opportunities and the skills and knowledge you are going to get can be applied anywhere in the World.”

 

He commended Cnooc for its corporate social responsibility activities including providing top up allowances for teachers in Buhuka parish in Kyangwali sub county, the Primary Living