OGDCL Chair Established at QAU

An agreement was signed between Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad to establish OGDCL Chair in the Department of Earth Sciences, QAU. Prof. Dr. Masoom Yasinzai, Vice Chancellor (QAU) and Masood Siddiqui, Managing Director (OGDCL) signed the Agreement. While addressing the agreement signing ceremony Advisor to Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr. Asim said that inauguration of the Industrial Chair sponsored by the OGDCL at QAU will not only help in bridging the gap between University and Industry but it will also facilitate in carrying out the educational and research activities in area of earth sciences that may lead to enhancing the activity of exploration in this country.

Dr. Asim said that OGDCL as a National organization is doing great job in the exploration and production of oil and gas while making all necessary efforts to meet the energy demands of the country. Quaid-i-Azam University is one of the leading Universities in Pakistan as its academia, other research areas and collaborations are far ahead than other universities of the country. Advisor to Prime Minister said the current Government is trying its best to fulfill the educational requirements of the country. He also expressed his gratitude to the management of OGDCL for sponsoring this Chair.

QAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Masoom Yasinzai briefed the audience about the university’s background and important achievements. He said that during recent years, Quaid-i-Azam University has successfully attracted and retained the outstanding faculty, introduced diverse education and research programs as well as established and strengthened different administrative offices. He said at QAU, particular emphasis has been given to faculty development efforts to bring about improvement in quality of teaching, besides promotion of research.

Dr. Masoom also highlighted QAU’s efforts to successfully identify the avenues of resource generation through engaging philanthropists, alumni and by establishing linkages with the industry. He lauded the establishment of chair as a great contribution of OGDCL towards the dissemination of knowledge.

Earlier Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ahmad, Chairperson, Department of Earth Sciences briefed the participants about the objective of establishment of OGDCL chair. He also highlighted the contribution of the Department of Earth Sciences for imparting quality education. He said the department has produced more than 300 graduates in Geophysics who are currently employed by OGDCL in different capacities, Mari Petroleum Company Ltd, Eni Pakistan, OMV, PEL, POL, PPL, MOL, DGPC, BGP, SAGeo and several other national and international organizations. He also thanked the Managing Director OGDCL for the establishment of OGDCL Chair at QAU. He said that a similar kind of Chair was also established by the courtesy and support of the Chairman/CEO LT Gen. Raza Muhammad Khan, Mari Petroleum Company Ltd in May 2012.