The Scottish Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism, Fergus Ewing MSP, will deliver the keynote address at an Aberdeen event focused on how to ensure best value in the energy sector.

‘On Point’, a collaborative industry event which will examine fit-for-purpose commercial practice and value creation in the energy sector, is being hosted by Robert Gordon University (RGU) in partnership with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in Scotland.

Other speakers at the event include Chairman of Oil & Gas UK Supply Chain Forum, Steve Johnstone; Chairman of RICS Scotland, Ian McKee; Director of RGU’s Oil and Gas Institute, Prof. Paul de Leeuw; and Zeina Sawaya Melville, an advisor to the CEO of the Port of Cromarty Firth at Invergordon.

In addition to a range of presentations on current challenges in the sector there will be an interactive panel discussion and an opportunity for an audience Q&A with Fergus Ewing MSP and senior industry figures.

RGU’s recently introduced MSc course, Commercial Practice for the Energy Sector, was developed and is delivered with significant industry input and specifically focuses on enabling students to professionally enhance their commercial skills to ensure best value throughout the supply chain. The first cohort of students from the course graduated at the end of 2015.

Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism Fergus Ewing said: “As the oil and gas sector faces the global challenges of the low oil price, there has never been a more important time to maximise the benefits innovation can bring to the industry, be it through the use of innovation in frontier exploration, understanding challenging environments, the integrity of sites with carbon storage potential or environmental monitoring and impacts. Academia has much to offer the oil and gas industry.

“I very much welcome the collaborative thinking of RGU and RICS in developing new courses such as the MSc Commercial Practice in the Energy Sector, which will deliver a highly portable skill-set to individuals that will enable them to work in different sectors within the energy sector.

“It is through courses such as these that Scotland will continue to grow our formidable technical expertise, and crucially develop the next generation of experts who represent a fantastic future skilled resource for the industry to meet the challenges ahead.”

Sarah Speirs, Director, RICS in Scotland, commented: “The energy sector is vital to the health of the Scottish and wider economy and it is imperative that we maintain a level of professional standards. Courses including RGU’s MSc course Commercial Practice for the Energy Sector provide a route for future talent ensuring the continuation of fit-for-purpose commercial practice within the industry.”

Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, Principal of RGU, said: “We are all aware that the energy sector faces some significant challenges at the current time, which is why, more than ever, that best value practices are at the heart of the industry.

“This event will examine the issues the industry is facing, while also highlighting the importance of strong links between the sector and universities. Tailored courses such as those offered at RGU can ensure that staff have the skills required at this time.”

‘On-Point’ will take place in RGU’s Sir Ian Wood Building on Monday, January 25, from 2pm onwards. For more information and to register to attend the event, visit www.rgu.ac.uk/events

More like this…

View all