Accra, Ghana – January 28, 2015. Ashesi University College has signed on to a partnership with General Electric (NYSE: GE) and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) to build capacity for Ghana’s young Oil and Gas industry. The three organisations signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on research and training of professionals in the oil and gas sector, witnessed by GE’s Global Chairman and Chief Executive Jeff Immelt.
GE has committed $3.5m to the partnership, and is working with Ashesi to develop a curriculum applicable to the Ghanaian Oil Industry through its Oil and Gas University initiative. A scholarship fund will also be created to support students in Ghanaian universities and vocational institutions who are studying Engineering or Oil & Gas related fields.
The CEO of GE Oil & Gas for Africa, Mr Marco Caccavale explained that the collaboration will promote knowledge transfer through GE funded academic scholarships for universities, professional seminars and courses on leadership and technical issues in Oil and Gas.
(Photo: Ashesi President Patrick Awuah Jr. signs MoU between GE, GNPC and Ashesi)
Ashesi’s President, Dr. Patrick Awuah, also indicated that the university was glad to be at the forefront of a comprehensive initiative to help Ghanaians acquire expertise required to manage a growing Oil & Gas industry. He added that GE had played a key role in helping develop Ashesi’s Engineering Programme, which launches in September 2015.
“GE is a stellar company, and I am especially proud that our graduates have been working with you on some major projects in Ghana,” said Dr. Awuah. “We are absolutely thrilled to be launching our engineering programme this year, and GE has been an important partner in reviewing the curriculum for that.”
The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the GNPC Mr. Alex Mould, added that he was delighted to work with GE on capacity building and technology transfer. He disclosed that GNPC will provide technical input and candidates for training under the Oil and Gas University initiative, and looked forward to working closely with Ashesi.
“We believe that GE and GNPC will share a lot of information on the basin, and what we can do together, especially in engineering,” Mr. Mould added. “That is why for us it is very important that we have a strong link with Ashesi in the engineering field, so that we can train engineers not only for the petroleum sector, but for the nation at large.”
(Photo: (From left) Alex Mould (Managing Director of GNPC), Hon. Emmanuel Buah (Ghana's Minister of Energy and Petroleum) and Jeff Immelt (GE Global Chairman and CEO)
GE, one of the world’s leading technology and financial services companies, has had a longstanding partnership with Ashesi. In 2011, Ashesi became the first university in Ghana to be added to GE’s prestigious list of Executive Schools, and is actively engaged with the company in mentorship programmes, internship and employment opportunities. In 2012, GE was named Ashesi’s top employer, not just in the number of graduates it had recruited, but also in the dedication it had shown to helping develop Ashesi’s students.
About Ashesi University College
Ashesi is an institution whose goal is to educate African leaders of exceptional integrity and professional ability. By raising the bar for higher education, Ashesi aims to make a significant contribution towards a renaissance in Africa. The university has gained a reputation for innovation and quality education and is the first in Africa to adopt and blend the Liberal Arts method of education with majors in Computer Science, Management Information Systems and Business Administration and Engineering (launching in September 2015). Join our conversations on Facebook or Twitter.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.
About GE Oil & Gas
GE Oil & Gas works on the things that matter in the oil and gas industry. In collaboration with our customers, we push the boundaries of technology to bring energy to the world. From extraction to transportation to end use, we address today's toughest challenges in order to fuel the future. Follow GE Oil & Gas on Twitter @GE_OilandGas.
About GNPC
GNPC is responsible for the Exploration, Development, and Production of petroleum resources in Ghana and as such serves as a catalyst for development in all sectors of the economy.