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SPE University Student Experience @GOTECH
Dubai, UAE | 21-23 April 2025

Programme Overview

Programme Overview

SPE and Dragon Oil are pleased to announce the return of the live, in-person SPE University Student Experience @GOTECH!  This unique opportunity is set to happen from 21 – 23 April 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre in Dubai, UAE alongside the Gas & Oil Technology Showcase and Conference (GOTECH).  The aim of the programme is to bring senior undergraduate students to Dubai to interact with GOTECH speakers, attendees and exhibitors, whilst also learning about the industry outside of the classroom.  The programme will also include sessions geared towards preparing students for life beyond university and incorporate plenty of activities and projects to ensure that students engage with one another, thus forming bonds that will last beyond the 3-day programme.

Activities may include the following:

  • Interactive Professional Development Sessions
  • GOTECH Technical Sessions
  • Ice-breakers and Team Building Activities
  • Networking
  • Industry Focused Field Trip
  • A Team Challenge with Winner Recognition

Team Challenge

Students will be grouped together on the first day of the programme and given a Team Challenge to work on throughout the Experience.  They will finalize the team challenge on the third and final day, with top three winners being recognized and announced at the end of the day.

Who Can Apply?

In general, the nominated students should be top-performing students – those who have shown excellence in leadership, participation in extracurricular activities as well as academic performance.  Students in their senior years of study (3rd or final year) tend to benefit more from this type of programme as they are about to enter the professional world. Our aim is to host students who excel in a variety of areas, not solely based on academic grading.  Students should be in their senior undergraduate years, studying geosciences and/or engineering.  They should demonstrate involvement within their community and/or SPE.  Diversity and inclusion are encouraged.  Students must meet the basic criteria as mentioned below

Student Criteria

All nominees must meet the following criteria:

  • Current SPE student member.
  • Enrolled in an undergraduate programme focused on geosciences and engineering.
  • Part of a qualified SPE Student Chapter from within the Middle East and North Africa Region.
  • Must not have participated in previous fully funded SPE-organized University Programmes/Education Weeks (this does not include chapter or section-organized events).
  • Be active with extra-curricular activities – for example, should have in the past or currently be involved with the SPE chapter or volunteer with another organization/club within the university.
  • Be in their senior years of study (3rd or 4th/final year).
  • Students should also be aware of current sanction laws which may not allow them to participate in this event. Details of current laws can be found here: http://www.spe.org/about/laws.php
  • All students must follow the 'Code of Conduct'
'Code of Conduct'

Students outside of the UAE should be nominated by their sponsoring section.  Please contact Jackie Hoffmann for more details on how to apply.

What will be provided for selected students?

Flight and Accommodation

Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Dragon Oil, accommodation and some meals will be provided for the duration of the programme. A flight ticket to and from the UAE, for those outside of the UAE, will be fully funded. Travel and accommodation will be organised by SPE and Dragon Oil staff. Students should have access to extra funds by way of cash or card when in the UAE, for taxis to and from the airport, as well as general spending money for meals outside of the provided food and beverage and other general expenditures like souvenirs. SPE and Dragon Oil staff will work directly with each student to organise the travel arrangements.

Note: If a student requires a visa to enter the UAE, the cost and arrangement of the visa will be borne by the student. SPE will assist by providing supporting documents.

 

SPE University Student Experience @GOTECH Sessions

DAY 1 | 21 April 2025

FIELD TRIP #1

Geological Exploration at Jabal Hafeet

Location:  Jabal Hafeet, Al Ain  

 

Students will explore sedimentary rock formations, fossils, and tectonic structures to understand their role in petroleum systems.

 

FIELD TRIP #2

SLB MLC – Oil & Gas Innovation in Action

Location: Al Shamkha, Abu Dhabi


Students will get hands-on experience with drilling, well logging, and digital oilfield technologies at SLB’s Middle East Learning Center.

 

 

DAY 2 | 22 April 2025

0930 - 0950

WELCOME KEYNOTE ADDRESS FROM 2025 SPE President


Welcome Address by:
Olivier Houzé, 2025 SPE President

Olivier

1045 – 1200

ASK THE EXPERTS: YOUR CAREER QUESTIONS, THEIR INSIGHTS
This will be an interactive Q&A session to connect with industry experts for career insights and advice.


Moderated by: Khuloud AlMaeeni, Core Committee Member


Panelists:

Amir AlAmeeri, Senior AI Data Engineer, Dragon Oil


Maher Al Kaabi, Advisor to Group Chairman and Independent Board Member, Alserkal Group of Companies


Rodha AlHashmi, Senior Legal Counsel Compliance, Dragon Oil


Tony Fitzgerald, Head of Drilling Operations, Dragon Oil

Amir AlAmeeri

Amir AlAmeeri     

Dragon Oil

Maher AlKaabi

Maher Al Kaabi

Alserkal Group of Companies

Rodha AlHashmi

 Rodha AlHashmi  

 Dragon Oil 

Tony Fitzgerald 

Tony Fitzgerald  

Dragon Oil

                                          


1330 – 1630

THE RUSH-A-WAY CHALLENGE: TEAMWORK IN ACTION


Focal Point: Saqer AlTamimi, Core Committee Member
Facilitated by: Neha Gagar, Rush-A-Way


Support provided by: Rush-A-Way Team Members:
Arya Dinesh Menon, Mohammad Faizaan, Roshni Cardoza, Jaysiya Devi Potsangbam, Mohamed Tamer, Arockianadan Reechard Doraisvwamy

 

DAY 3 | 23 April 2025

0800 – 0830

FINAL DAY WELCOME REMARKS FROM THE COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP

Chairperson: Maisoun Al Mansoori, Dragon Oil


Core Committee Members:
Jasem AlMansoori, Dragon Oil
Saqer AlTamimi, Dragon Oil
Khuloud AlMaeeni, Dragon Oil

1330 – 1430

CAREER POWER HOUR: INSIDE THE HIRING PROCESS
This is an interactive session with HR to uncover the hiring process, selection criteria, and key tips for career success.


Moderated by: Jassem AlMansoori, Core Committee Member


Panelists:
Amira AlTayeb
, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist, Dragon Oil


Rashed AlSahlawi , Learning and Development Specialist, Dragon Oil


Sara Balala, Dragon Oil

 

Committee

Meet the Team Behind the SPE University Student Experience @GOTECH

At the heart of SPE University Student Experience @GOTECH is a dynamic team of industry professionals dedicated to inspiring the next generation of energy leaders. With a shared vision for innovation, knowledge-sharing, and empowerment, this team is committed to creating an impactful and engaging experience for students worldwide.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Us

If you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to contact us directly by emailing Jackie Hoffmann, Regional Activities Manager at jhoffmann@spe.org.