The Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi, FUTIA, Akwa Ibom State, has strengthened its collaboration with SenExpert Global Integrated Services Limited, an oil and gas servicing company, as part of efforts to deepen institution-industry partnership in research, training and practical engineering exposure.
The partnership is expected to support collaborative research involving researchers, lecturers and students of the university, particularly those in the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology. The research will focus on identifying and addressing key challenges in the oil and gas sector, with the aim of contributing to the growth of the industry in the region and across Nigeria.
As part of the engagement, the second excursion trip and first batch of engineering students from different disciplines earlier in the week began their Students’ Work Experience Programme, SWEP, and Educational Excursion Programme, EEP, at the company’s facility in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
SenExpert Global Integrated Services Limited specialises in oil well completion, offshore facilities design, construction and other services within the oil and gas sector.
The FUTIA students, researchers and staff participating in the SWEP and EEP are expected to study the company’s practical operations, systems and industry challenges. The exercise is designed to support learning, strengthen research outcomes and promote closer collaboration between the university and the oil and gas industry.
The strategic engagement forms part of FUTIA’s commitment to exposing engineering students and other related disciplines to practical, hands-on experience in relevant industries. It also seeks to provide institutional input, particularly in research, to industries operating within the region and beyond.
The programme is also aimed at helping students understand the operational and administrative processes of industry-based engineering practice, while bridging the gap between classroom theory and practical field experience.
In a letter of commendation, the Vice Chancellor of FUTIA, Professor Leo Daniel, on behalf of the university management, commended the management and staff of SenExpert Global Integrated Services Limited for receiving, training and providing the students and staff with access to their facilities for the academic programme.
Professor Daniel said the gesture reflected the value of mutual partnership between the university and the company, especially in promoting practical learning, research development and industry-relevant training.
Members of staff and researchers who led the first batch of staff and students to the company for the exercise included Engr. Enefiok Usungurua, Team Lead and SEET SWEP and Excursion Coordinator; Engr. Inuaeyen Inuaeyen, Lecturer and Acting Head of Department, Petroleum and Gas Engineering; Dr Timothy Balogun, Acting Head of Department, Chemical Engineering; Engr. Covenant Idongesit, Lecturer, Petroleum and Gas Engineering; and Tgst. Ita Ekefre, Technologist.
