The two-year Ro’ya program is organized by Khalifa University and ADNOC for high school students in the UAE. It aims to raise students’ awareness of petroleum engineering-related degrees and potential careers in the energy sector.

During the Winter session, which was held from 12-16 December 2021, participating students prepared for the math section of EmSAT test (a national system of standardized computer-based tests) using an innovative learning program called ALEKS; they were trained on how to make a responsive website in Dreamweaver using both HTML and CSS languages; and they took a leadership course where they learned how to create a lasting change in themselves and others.

They also received detailed information on how to apply to Khalifa University, and attended a workshop on robotics in the oil and gas industry.

Following are several testimonials from Ro’ya Program participants, who expressed great satisfaction and enjoyment from the program.

Noof Yousef

My experience with the Ro’ya Winter program was great Everyone was supportive and helpful throughout the whole program. They taught us how to be strict with ourselves to achieve our goals, how to stay consistent and stick to good habits by replacing the bad ones, how to study effectively, and pretty much everything that you need to know before you go to a university and how to choose the major that’s right for us.

Haya Hussain Falaknaz

From the enrichment sessions to the interactions with the speaker, the program was really interesting. Not only was it beneficial, it was really engaging as well. I loved that they added the ALEKS platform for us.

Eiman Ali Husain Ali Alhosani

Overall, my experience with Ro’ya program was wonderful. Every session was informative, useful and meaningful. Classes were interactive, engaging and dynamic with energized professors and doctors. I learned many skills, getting to know myself more and the fields of my interest. Moreover, it was awesome hearing from my colleagues about their experiences in different aspects. The program’s team and managers always listened to our queries and concerns, and were fair and consistent when dealing with any student discipline issue. It facilitated our learning experience and made it comfortable. I also liked how the sessions were scheduled so it fit every student. This program helps prepare the Emirati youth to attain prominent leadership skills in the future strategic sectors. I was also happy to try new math problems that will benefit me when I take the EmSATs. Thanks from the bottom of my heart for giving us this amazing opportunity!

Mariam Ali Daiban

I enjoyed the Ro’ya Winter Program, where I learned a lot about coding, algebra, robotics, and many other interesting things. Overall, the program was well-prepared and arranged, and the information was quite valuable, with the intention of assisting us in our daily lives. I strongly encourage individuals to participate in this program since it will aid them in making future decisions as well as provide them with a valuable experience.

Wejdan AlMarri

It was a very nice experience overall and I am lucky to be one of the Ro’ya program participants and a part of the family.

Dhabia Nasser Darwish Alfalasi

Overall it was such an amazing experience and I would definitely recommend this program to my friends. I learned a lot from this program and gained many skills. The professors were very helpful as well and they helped us to complete the Ro’ya project that we were asked to do.

AlMaha Jamal AlBaqmi

The Ro’ya winter program was excellent. The best part was the preparation for the EmSAT math test.

Razan Yazeed��������������������

The program was great. I learned a lot of things in many aspects, including coding, which we applied to our project assignment; EmSAT preparation using ALEKS, which I really liked because it focuses on our weaknesses; leadership skills; choosing a major; interview skills and essay writing tips; how to apply to Khalifa University and admission requirements in general; and lastly, we were updated about the usage of robotics in the oil and gas industry.

Maitha Mohammed Alhosani

The Ro’ya program improved our skills and abilities, and I gained a lot of knowledge through this program. We were able to discover the petroleum engineering sector and how it works in the field and what kind of courses we need to take in order to become a petroleum engineer. During the summer Ro’ya program, we got a chance to see ADNOC offices, which were really beautiful and I was thrilled to see how it is organized and uses modern technologies. During the winter program, I had the chance to practice for my EmSAT using ALEKS with having Mr. Ameur mentoring us. In addition to that, Dr. Jebbouri taught us a lot of html coding techniques that will definitely help us with our final project. We installed the software “Dreamweaver” and were able to try and work with our mentor. We were also able to gain leadership skills which Mrs. Khluood. It was really beneficial to all of us as we were truly engaged and excited for the activities that were provided to us. Finally, I would like to thank Mrs. Hafsa Al Mansouri for organizing our program. She helped and taught us new thing in this wonderful program.

Reem Bader Almaskari

I enjoyed my time with the Ro’ya Winter Program, where I learned how to work on Dreamweaver using HTML and CSS codes. We were also given a great opportunity to prepare for the EmSAT, revise some math, and do the mock maths exam. In addition, we conducted an online class on leading and creating a lasting change in ourselves and others. What I enjoyed the most in this program was on the last day they gave a lecture referring to university preparations which I found very helpful.

Erica Solomon
Senior Publication Specialist
23 February 2022

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The Society of Petroleum Engineering (SPE) recognized two Khalifa University faculty members in its International and Regional Awards in recognition of their exceptional service and leadership within the SPE.

Dr. Hadi Belhaj, Associate Professor of Petroleum Engineering, was honored with the 2021 SPE International Distinguished Service Award for his significant professional contributions not only to the petroleum engineering profession but to the worldwide oil and gas industry as well. The award recognizes contributions to the Society that exhibit such exceptional devotion of time, effort, thought, and action as to set them apart from other contributions.

The International Distinguished Service Award is in recognition of Dr. Belhaj’s 40 years of combined petroleum industrial and academic experience with key qualifications and achievements in reservoir engineering, reservoir simulation, modeling fractured reservoirs, EOR, sand control, unconventional reservoirs and decarbonized fossil fuels. Geographically, his experience is spread over North America, Europe, North Africa, Asia and the Middle-East.��

“It is an honor to recognize Hadi for his commitment and dedication to the oil and gas industry with the SPE Distinguished Service Award. SPE international award winners were nominated by their colleagues and selected by their peers for their achievement and contributions and it’s my pleasure to congratulate him on receiving this prestigious international award from SPE,” said Tom Blasingame, 2021 SPE President.

Dr. Belhaj was also a previous recipient of the 2013 and 2020 SPE Regional Distinguished Achievement for Petroleum Engineering Faculty Award and the 2019 SPE Regional Reservoir Description and Dynamics Award.��

Dr. Emad Al Shalabi, Assistant Professor of Petroleum Engineering, is the recipient of the SPE Regional Reservoir Description and Dynamic Award for the Middle East and North Africa Region. The award is one of the Technical Awards given by SPE to members for their exceptional contribution and expertise on the regional level. The Reservoir Description and Dynamics Award recognizes outstanding achievements in or contributions to the advancement of petroleum engineering, specifically in the area of reservoir description and dynamics.

Dr. Al Shalabi has remarkable contributions in the fields of reservoir simulation, modeling, and enhanced/improved oil recovery (EOR/IOR) techniques, which are critical to the oil and gas industry. His achievements in the area of EOR and specifically in low salinity water flooding for carbonate reservoirs promise greatly improved extraction and use of the world’s natural resources. He has made great progress in elucidating the uncertainties associated with low salinity water injection through in-depth, critical analysis of the experimental works of other researchers as well as his own simulation and modeling works.��

“I am extremely humbled and honored to receive such a prestigious award that reflects my significant contribution to the oil and gas industry. In the Middle East and North Africa region, carbonate rocks provide great challenges to successful oil and gas production. Hence, we need to apply innovative and cost effective EOR techniques to further enhance their production where my research activities are focused,” Dr. Al Shalabi commented.��

Prior to receiving the 2021 Reservoir Description and Dynamics Award, Dr. Al Shalabi has also received the 2020 SPE Regional Public Service Award, 2020 SPE Regional Service Award, and 2020 SPE Regional Young Member Outstanding Service Award for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region.��

SPE held their Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition from September 21 to 23, 2021 in Dubai, UAE.��

Ara Maj Cruz
Creative Writer
30 August 2021

The post Two Faculty Members Recognized in 2021 SPE International and Regional Awards appeared first on Khalifa University.

A robot designed to inspect storage tanks for the oil and gas industry was a hit at the Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge (MBZIRC) Exhibition and was recognized as the winner of the Best Innovative University Project of the Emirates Award 2020.��

Team PetroPremium, composed of Petroleum Engineering students Alanood Alburaiki, Anoud Alshukaili, and Mariam Alkatheeri, developed a robot with sensors and a webcam to scan oil storage tanks. The robot scans the tanks using spiral movements, analyzes the data, and then identifies corrosion spots in the tanks, helping ensure the safety and structural integrity of the tanks.��

“The idea came while we were discussing with Dr. Waleed Alameri (Assistant Professor of Petroleum Engineering) about MBZIRC 2020. He believed in us and his support, along with Dr. Hamad Karki, (Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering) who helped us reach this great achievement, which is winning the Emirates Award under the Best Innovative Student Project,” Anoud commented.��

“As the demand for oil and gas is increasing, resources are diminishing. The oil and gas industry is looking for more advanced technologies to increase productivity in a cost-effective manner. Therefore, our role as petroleum engineers is to innovate and help in developing the oil and gas sector in achieving our country’s vision. Robotics has the potential to positively impact the oil and gas industry. We’re planning to keep working on this project and implementing new technologies that will increase its efficiency,” Alanood said.��

“Through our participation in the MBZIRC, we have seen that the United Arab Emirates, under its wise leadership, has always supported vital projects that will help the country achieve its goals. We also received a great morale boost after we met His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who praised our role as Emirati students in advancing scientific progress and expanding the perceptions of creativity and innovation. He also praised us as an example to follow and encouraged us to continue working on scientific investment,” she said.��

“It is also not surprising that we have received the full support of the Khalifa University administration and the educational staff. The University provides their students with innovative courses, competitions, and most importantly, access to their laboratories where students can work on their projects,” remarked Alanood.��

Dr. Waleed also commented: “Thank you Anoud, Alanood, and Mariam for such an excellent achievement. We are always here to help, serve and support our students at Khalifa University and I’m sure that this is not the end. We will develop the idea of the designed robot and one day will apply it in real projects.”��

“The Petroleum Engineering Department at Khalifa University was the main reason for us to continue with the project. This achievement is also directed to our beloved country and our families as well. We as graduate students are proud to reach this level of achievement during this pandemic. This is proof that nothing is impossible nowadays and we can turn what is impossible to possible by our determination and persistence,” Anoud added.��

Ara Maj Cruz
Creative Writer
6 June 2021

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Five-Member SPE Student Chapter Team Now Eligible to Take Part in International PetroBowl® Championship at ATCE 2019 in Canada

��A five-member team of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Student Chapter from the Khalifa University of Science and Technology has become the first place winners of the 2019 MENA SPE PetroBowl® Regional Competition in Manama, Bahrain.

The SPE Student Chapter team comprising of Petroleum Engineering students Anoud Al Shukaili, Deena Elhossary, Omar Chaabi, Thaer Ismail and Waleed Diab competed against 10 teams including regional heavyweights and previous champions to win a place in the international PetroBowl® Championship that will be held during the SPE Annual Technical Conference (ATCE 2019) from 30 September – 2 October in Calgary, Canada.

The PetroBowl competition pits SPE student chapter teams against each other in a series of quick-fire rounds, answering technical and nontechnical industry-related questions. The challenge was organized in conjunction with the 21st Society of Petroleum Engineers Middle East Oil & Gas Show and Conference (MEOS 2019) from 18-21 March in Bahrain.

Team members, elated by their regional win, are looking forward to the final stage when they will compete against other regional champions.

Professor Dr John Williams, Associate Professor Dr Hadi Belhaj and Assistant Professor Dr. Emad Walid Al Shalabi from Petroleum Engineering department were the faculty advisors who trained the students for the event.

Deena Elhossary said: “I feel overjoyed that my team members and I have achieved great success at the 2019 MENA SPE PetroBowl® Regional Competition, proudly representing Khalifa University and the UAE. I am honored to be part of the team which consists of very hard working, intelligent and supportive individuals.”

Omar, who led the KU SPE team, felt overcoming teams from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in the semi-final and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in the finals was truly amazing.

Omar said: “I feel really proud and honored to be part of this team, let alone being the captain. Everyone worked so hard for it, and thankfully we were able to become the MENA Regional Champions.”

It was Waleed who summed up the team’s persistence that brought them the success. He said: “In 2017, we came third in the regional competition and then went out in the second round of the international competition in Texas. Both were heavy losses, as we felt we really could have done much better.”

Waleed was referring to the SPE Student Chapter team that became the only one from the Middle East region to make it to the second round with the highest scores in the fiercely contested 2017 PetroBowl International Competition in Texas, US.

Explaining what brought about their success this time around, Waleed said: “We went the extra mile at every level, reviewed everything we have ever studied in Petroleum Engineering, even covered subjects not taught at our university, and memorized industry statistics. In addition, we read history books looking for all the important milestones, technological achievements and historical events related to the oil and gas industry. Furthermore, we met two or three times per week to rehearse and practice. In the end, our efforts paid off, and despite being the under-dogs, we won.”

The toughest round was the semi-final, when the team had to face 2017 champions, who knocked the KU team out that year, according to Waleed. But with a spectacular performance, the KU team played the best game ever and correctly answered one question after the other, not giving the opponent any chance. “From then on, it was only a matter of time although the final was just as tough. The semi-final win gave the level of confidence we needed,” remarked Waleed.

Thaer Ismail believes that the training and hard work brought the team victory. Thaer said: “I feel that the confidence and experience we got from the regional win will help us vastly in the international PetroBowl® to be held in Calgary, Canada in October.”

Omar concluded “Now, we are looking forward to the international competition and we are planning to give it our best and hopefully, we will come back as global champions.”

News Writer

24 March 2019

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