A total of 26 students from Kyambogo University undertaking courses in oil and gas production; environmental engineering and management have received free training on how to extract oil and conserve the environment.

The goal of the training was to offer students from universities studying oil and gas-related courses a chance to apply the skills they are learning at school to a professional internship setting, helping them gain experience and develop networks they can call upon when they return to complete their bachelor's degree.

Speaking during the passing out of the students over the weekend, Patricia Nansamba, the marketing director at Tarn Energy Services Ltd (TESL), said the six-week training is expected to help students understand what is outside the school environment as well as get them direct connections.

Since 2019, Tarn Energy, a Ugandan firm, has trained over five cohorts of students from Kyambogo University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Nkumba University, among others.

Sufficient training is key

Nansamba said once students are given a chance to learn, they can do better so long as they are given sufficient training.

"The ability to participate in a work experience is an increasingly important part of higher education and this programme allows these young people the chance to complete this task," she said.

Nansamba added that without preparing students to get challenged by the new environments, they may face hardships at the beginning.

"It’s not just a chance to check a box on a to-do list for preparing for their career; it’s actually an opportunity to gain experience, learn how the Uganda workplace functions and develop a professional network they can call upon now and throughout their careers. Without this chance, their graduate education is not complete," she said.

Aidan Julian Asekenye, the principal environmental education co-ordinator from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), asked students to play a key role in finding better solutions for conserving the environment.

Asekenye was the chief guest for the function that happened over the weekend in Ntinda.

She said Uganda is now involved in oil extraction, which is likely to affect animals, plants, people and the entire ecosystem, but only environmentalists will develop new concepts.

Students from the environment section said planting more trees and encouraging people to plant more would be helpful.