Makerere petroleum students win sh18m grant

PIC: The six-strong team of Makerere University students who won the petroleum grant. (Courtesy photo)

EDUCATION

KAMPALA - A group of six Makerere University students of petroleum have won a €4,000 (about sh18m) Total grant to conduct a field excursion in Uganda as one of the ways to reinforce their skills in the oil and gas industry.

They are among 18 teams selected out of 600 participants from all over the world to receive grants for their projects.

Last year, team MAKGEO2018, which comprises fourth year students, took part in the global competition by submitting their project proposal under the Discover category.

They are Katusiime Justine, Asiimwe Susan,  Ampumuza Davis,  Sempebwa Greaven, Guma Frank and Mubiru James - all enthusiatic and determined learners, with a wide range of interests in the petroleum industry.

They participated in the competition under the European Association for Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE).

Team Total is Total's annual grants programme supporting projects, challenges and educational activities by student teams and associations around the world.

There are four main categories: Push your limits,  Innovate, Make it better and Discover.

'Commitment and sacrifice'

The Makerere students' project, titled 'Field exursion', is focussed on equipping them with the necessary skills for the oil and gas industry.

To achieve this, the group will conduct a comprehensive field study on oil activities in the Albertine graben in western Uganda and their effects on the environment.

"This project is the most challenging venture we have worked on thus far. It required a great deal of co-operation, commitment, sacrifice and time input from the team.

"Slow internet response was a major challenge during the application process. This experience has enabled us to acquire various skills, such as project planning, budgeting and team work," they said.

Uganda and Nigeria were the only African nations with winning teams.

Team MAKGEO2018 is also urging Ugandans to vote for their project in the online voting for the Audience Appreciation Prize. Voting is open from February 1 to 28.

They thanked Total SA for putting in place a platform and for deeming their project worthy of their financial support. They also thank the staff of the Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies of Makerere University, parents, guardians and course mates for their support.

The field excursion is scheduled to take place in July.

"I am so honoured to have led this wonderful team of brilliant young geoscientists and would choose to work with them anytime any day," Katusiime said.

"Uganda's oil and gas industry is still growing and we are excited to have been born at such a time as this when the exploitation of this resource is set to commence in 2020," she added.

"We hope that the country's economy will be greatly boosted with proper utilisation of the revenues accrued from the oil. The growth of this sector will also provide employment opportunities to a significant section of the county's skilled and semiskilled population."