Industry-funded scholarships are being offered for a newly launched pioneering petroleum data management course for the energy industry, which is being taught at Robert Gordon University (RGU) in partnership with Common Data Access Limited (CDA).
The oil and gas industry continues to be a major provider of energy and employment globally and needs fresh talent to maximise current and future opportunities. In response to these industry needs, RGU and CDA have developed a Graduate Certificate in Petroleum Data Management.
The course, beginning in late September, will develop students’ understanding of subsurface exploration and production data management, and recognise its importance to upstream oil and gas businesses.
CDA has committed to providing four fully funded scholarship places to provide finance for the academic year 2016/17.
Peter Reid, head of the department of information management at RGU, said: “Demand for qualified and competent petroleum data managers is growing as the success of the business becomes increasingly dependent on information, and the volume, variety and complexity of that information is growing rapidly.
“This course aims to support the industry, providing it with a steady stream of qualified data managers with specific knowledge of the subsurface environment.
“It is fantastic news that four fully funded scholarship places are being offered, and individuals completing the course will gain an accredited qualification which will provide new entrants with a direct route into the profession, as well as present a career development opportunity for existing practitioners.”
Chief executive of CDA, Malcolm Fleming, added: “The value generated by exploration and production activities relies on accurate information, the key to which is a high quality of data management. It is therefore crucial that the industry recognises the importance of promoting the professionalisation of petroleum data managers.
“It is all the more apparent in the current economic environment that a high quality data management function underpins efforts to reduce risk, meet regulatory compliance, and increase exploration and production success.”
The CDA Scholarships will be open to any student, worldwide, who has been accepted onto the course and who is in genuine financial need.
In line with the aim of bringing in new talent and developing existing talent, there will be two funded places available for recent graduates and two for those with industry experience.
Scholarships will be awarded based on selection criteria with more weight placed upon academic merit for new entrants, and more weight placed upon the applicant’s employment history and career development for those with industry experience. An awarding panel made up of representatives from RGU and CDA will assess the applications.
Application details are available from the website. The closing date for 2016/2017 applications is August 31 2016.