GE Oil & Gas University programme trains industry professionals in Doha and Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, UAE; March 5, 2009: In the first-ever Middle East edition of GE’s Oil & Gas University Programme, an initiative aimed at providing training on leadership and technology disciplines for oil and gas professionals in Doha and Abu Dhabi. Graduation ceremonies were held in both cities, with 37 and 31 professionals receiving certificates in Doha and Abu Dhabi, respectively.

Experts from GE and professional associates covered various aspects of the energy industry including energy sources, exploration, production and utilization throughout the duration of the course. The Doha and Abu Dhabi Courses were a value-added learning programme for employees of QP and ADNOC and their affiliated companies and subsidiaries.

Mohammad Ayoub, Operations Leader – Region General Manager, GE Oil & Gas, said: "It is important for oil & gas professionals to further their knowledge and skill sets. We are delighted to have brought the GE Oil & Gas University Programme to the Middle East region. It offered industry professionals the opportunity to broaden their knowledge in their respective industries as well as give them the chance to specialize in preferred areas."

Sheikh Hamad Saoud Abdulaziz Al-Thani, Head of Professional Training, Qatar Petroleum said: “The GE Oil & Gas University Programme offered a valuable learning experience for our employees. They were introduced to new technologies and solutions that have great practical relevance, today. We are looking forward to having similar training in the future.”

H.E. Yousef Omair Bin Yousef, Chief Executive Officer of ADNOC said: "Our industry is ever-evolving and new technology and best practices are being regularly introduced. The Oil & Gas University Programme allowed our associates at ADNOC to build on their expertise and fine tune their technical skills."

Piero Salvadori, President of Oil & Gas University, said: "We are delighted to be able to extend the GE Oil & Gas University Programmes to this region. The Middle East plays an important role in GE’s business and the decision to introduce the University Programme was only logical. The 6 week programme was a condensed version of our “Oil & Gas technologies” programme which is six months long and is held at GE Oil & Gas headquarters in Florence, Italy. Participants completed the course with interest and enthusiasm and it proved to be a successful introduction to the Middle East for us.”

The program focused on three core modules: Leadership, Energy and Oil & Gas Processes and Rotating Equipment.