FUPRE Inaugurates Academia -Industry Advisory Board
By Wilson Macaulay
The Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State officially inaugurated its Academia-Industry Advisory Board on Thursday July 25th 2024 aiming to build strong industry ties and shape the future of petroleum education in Nigeria.
At the inauguration ceremony, Engr. Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh FNES, who serves as both Vice-Chancellor of the University and Chair of the Advisory Board, stressed the importance of synchronizing academic programs with industry needs to promote innovation and drive progress in the energy sector.
In his remarks, he noted, “Establishing the advisory board is a strategic move to bridge the divide between the university and the industry,” and emphasized that “The university plans to harness the board’s expertise to ensure graduates are equipped with the skills needed to tackle the industry’s changing demands.”
The advisory board, featuring distinguished professionals from leading petroleum firms and research institutions will provide oversight on curriculum development, research direction, commercialization of research outputs, and workforce training.
At the board’s inaugural meeting, the focus was on updating the curriculum with emerging technologies, expanding internships, and boosting research collaborations and funding. They also discussed partnering with indigenous companies to fill manpower gaps left by international oil companies and addressing industry challenges through innovation.
The External Board Members include Engr. A. O. Anyaoku, Former Executive Director of NNPC; Mr. Senibo Tom, Assistant Director at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulation Commission; Mr. Amimbola Peter Alamu and Mr. Ovraiti Oghenekaro from Shell Petroleum Development Company; Mr. Victor Ohwodiasa from NMDPRA; Engr. Dr. N. J. D. Erinne, CEO of Matrix Petrochemicals Nig. Limited; and Dr. Oli Olowhu, Production Facility Manager at Elerest Exploration and Production Nig. Limited.
Other members include Mr. Anin Osadebe John, Managing Director of Platform Petroleum Limited; Engr. Adekunle Olusile, National Advisor for Investment & Technology at UNIDO; Associate Professor Bryan R. Goldsmith; Dr. Amos Kome Onokpise of First Hydrocarbon Nig. Ltd.; and Engr. Adekunle Olusile from the UNIDO Promotion Office.
Internal members are Prof. Difference Ogagarue (Earth Science Department), Engr. Dr. Teddy Odisu (Petrochemical Engineering Department), Engr. Sylvester Okotie (Petroleum Engineering Department), and Barr. Chidi Onyeneke (Secretary).
