OTM launch commemorated
On 31 August 2006, the School of Engineering and Technology held a special occasion to commemorate the successful launch of Offshore Technology & Management (OTM), a new field study in offshore oil and gas engineering and management.
The new field, a fruit of Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai's idea and hard work for many months, might be the first program in AIT history that is fully supported by a group of donors consisting of government bodies, industry and universities and uniquely owned by a tripartite body the Department of Mineral Fuels of Thailand (DMF), Petroleum Institute of Thailand (PTIT) and AIT.
The occasion commenced with the OTM Industrial Advisory Board meeting, which was chaired by Dr. Songpope Polachan from DMF on behalf of Mr. Krairit Nikulha; and directed by Prof. Worsak as secretary. The first board meeting was officially opened by AIT President Said Irandoust, followed by presentations about AIT, OTM and the OTM curriculum by Prof. Peter Haddawy, Prof. Worsak and Dr. Joko Widjaja.
Dr Songpope addressed the shortage of skilled manpower and the recent high investment cost in oil and gas industry, which should be overcome with a joint effort of all companies and education sector, in this case, AIT. An ensuing discussion about OTM strategic direction, curriculum structure, industrial cooperation and net working, was overwhelmingly responded by the attended board members from PTTEP, PTIT, CUEL Ltd, Schlumberger S.A., Bechtel International, Inc., Thai Nippon Steel Eng. & Corp., Ltd., Pearl Oil (Thailand) Ltd., Palang Sophon Two Ltd. and Index International. A number of board members from Thai Oil Public Company Ltd, Chevron Thailand Exploration & Production Ltd., Worley Parsons (Thailand) Limited, Technip Engineering (Thailand) Ltd., Foster Wheeler International Corporation and Sino-Thai Eng. & Construction Plc. could not attend the meeting.
A later G&OTM; Appreciation session was opened by Prof. Irandoust and followed by presentations of bonded scholarships to students by DMF, Pearl Oil, Chevron, Thai Nippon Steel and Palang Sophon. Mr. Brent P. Sherfey, regional manager of Bechtel International, Inc., presented a US$10,000 grant for the program.
An agreement was signed between Schlumberger Overseas Vice President Mr. Phuwadon Suntornwipart and Prof. Irandoust on the close cooperation between the two organizations. A package of software worth of US$1.5 million was donated by Schlumberger Overseas under the framework of the agreement.
Another agreement was signed by Dr. Sjaak Beerens, ITC Director, who offered a full scholarship for the top OTM student who would like an internship at ITC in The Netherlands. Finally, Prof. Irandoust handed over an OTM plaque of appreciation to all members of OTM Industry Advisory Board.
