Lalit Bhamare is doing his Masters in Oil and Engineering at Robert Gordon University’s School of Engineering in Aberdeen...
I completed my graduation as a Petroleum Engineer from Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Pune. I am currently studying for a Masters (MSc) in Oil and Gas Engineering at Robert Gordon University’s School of Engineering in Aberdeen in the North-east of Scotland.
I loved mathematics from my school days and hence chose engineering so I could practically apply my skills and enhance my technical knowledge of the oil and gas industry. Robert Gordon University (RGU) was an automatic choice due to its location in Aberdeen — the Oil Capital of Europe. I found the programme offered by RGU was more practical-based than other institutions and focuses on relevant processes currently used in industry.
The teaching methods applied at the University are excellent and the ‘doubt-clearing’ sessions held periodically by the professors ensure that everybody is keeping pace. The lectures lean towards practical knowledge and provide an insight to the real world. Being a part of this institution has been such an overwhelming positive experience for me — the atmosphere at the University reciprocates the students thirst for knowledge and excellence.
The University curriculum focuses on enhancing the analytical thinking of the student. As the University has a long association with the industry (it was formerly a technical college offering oil and gas safety training amongst its courses), many eminent speakers visit the School of Engineering as part-time or guest lecturers. This gives us an idea of what is currently happening in industry and the problems it currently faces.
The oil and gas industry in Aberdeen employs thousands of people from varied backgrounds. My time so far at the University has given me the chance to interact with students from many nations including Nigeria, Ghana, Russia, Kazakhstan as well as English, Scottish and Irish people. The multicultural environment has helped me feel like a ‘global citizen’ and made me more independent and flexible in terms of living with people from different cultures.
I have been an active member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers since my undergrad days. I have managed to carry on this association in Scotland and was recently elected President of Robert Gordon University’s SPE Student Chapter for 2012-13.
The Aberdeen Section of the SPE also recently held an energy challenge which saw around 50 students from across Scotland take part. After a tense competition, I was delighted to hear that I was named Aberdeen’s first Energy Apprentice. It was a wonderful experience for me as I had just arrived in the city a week before and was still new to the environment.
My fellow competitors and the organisers saw to it that everybody had a worthwhile experience and we got the opportunity to interact with highly-reputed people from the oil and gas industry.
I have also been lucky enough to be awarded one of Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships and have received £2000 (over Rs. 1,75,223) funding towards my tuition fees. Indian students are eligible to apply for the Scholarships which are offered from the Scottish Government as part of a programme designed to promote Scotland as a higher education study destination and in recognition of India’s recent economic development.
I have loved my time in Scotland from the day I arrived in Aberdeen, the people are very friendly and I love the fact that it has just turned winter so we’re already seeing heavy snow fall on the ground around campus! For me, enrolling in an MSc course is not only equipping me with the knowledge and expertise for my future career in the energy industry but has given me the opportunity to sample a different way of life and make lifelong friends and connections.