Senior leaders, diplomats & officials review EACOP Academy progress at UPIK

The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Academy, a flagship vocational training program aimed at building local capacity for midstream oil and gas operations, received a significant boost today with a high-level visit from the EACOP Senior Leadership Team (SLT), government officials, and diplomats.

The delegation, which included Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E. Maj. Gen. Paul Kisesa Simuli, and the Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), Ernest Rubondo, toured the Uganda Petroleum Institute, Kigumba (UPIK), the home of the EACOP Academy, to review its progress and engage with the 141 trainees currently enrolled.

The visit underscored the importance of the EACOP Academy in contributing to regional development and providing meaningful opportunities for young professionals. The delegation also included senior officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), UPIK’s leadership and trainers, and members of the EACOP SLT, highlighting the collaborative effort behind the program.

Launched in August 2024, the EACOP Academy is a direct result of the impressive success of the EACOP Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), which attracted over 23,000 registrations and saw more than 12,000 completions. Building upon the MOOC’s foundation, the Academy selected 110 trainees from Tanzania through the EACOP MOOC and 31 from Uganda through the Tilenga MOOC.

The program prioritizes practical, hands-on training aligned with both national development goals and the specific operational requirements of the EACOP project across East Africa. Notably, 25% of the Academy’s students are female, and 80% hail from communities along the pipeline route, ensuring that the benefits of the project are felt locally.

During his keynote address, EACOP MD Guillaume DULOUT passionately articulated the program’s vision, emphasizing that it extends beyond mere technical training. “This is what the EACOP Academy stands for: building a skilled workforce, yes but more importantly, building a community of professionals ready to take responsibility for one of the most ambitious energy projects on the continent,” he stated. He further highlighted the Academy’s commitment to fostering leadership, accountability, and strong professional ethics among its young participants.

Bernard Ongodia, Director of UPIK, expressed his profound appreciation for EACOP’s ongoing support, acknowledging that the partnership has significantly enhanced the institute’s training capabilities and opened up a broader range of opportunities for its students.

The tour of UPIK’s vocational training workshops allowed guests to witness firsthand the technical skills the students are developing. Students demonstrated their expertise in various disciplines and shared inspiring testimonies about the transformative impact of the program on their lives and career aspirations.

The day culminated in a friendly football match between the EACOP SLT and the Academy trainees. The students emerged victorious with a 1-0 score, sparking celebrations and highlighting the camaraderie and mutual respect between the trainees and the EACOP leadership. The match served as a powerful symbol of connection and collaboration, leaving both teams smiling and reinforcing the positive spirit of the program.

The visit underscored the EACOP Academy’s significant contribution to regional development, its tangible impact on the trainees, and the critical need for continued engagement and support.

It served as a testament to the strong institutional backing for the program and its steady progress in preparing young professionals for the future of East Africa’s energy sector, fostering collaboration and prosperity across borders. The EACOP Academy is clearly on track to build a skilled workforce and a vibrant community of professionals ready to contribute to the success of this ambitious energy project.