TotalEnergies, SLB empower Ugandan Universities with advanced oil & gas training tools
Furthermore, SLB will conduct training sessions for university faculty in July 2025 to ensure effective utilization of the software and will continue to renew the licenses annually, ensuring ongoing access to cutting-edge technology.
In a significant boost to oil and gas education in Uganda, TotalEnergies EP Uganda and SLB (formerly Schlumberger) joined forces to enhance the training curriculum at Makerere, Kyambogo, and Nkumba Universities.
On Wednesday, June 11th, 2025, the companies officially handed over specialized education software and state-of-the-art computer hardware to these institutions, marking a crucial step towards developing a skilled workforce ready for the burgeoning oil and gas sector.
This collaborative effort aims to equip the universities with the resources necessary to train students with the relevant technical expertise demanded by the industry. The initiative aligns with TotalEnergies and SLB’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which focuses on quality education, and reflects their dedication to national content development, capacity building, and support for Ugandan educational institutions.
During the handover ceremony, Philippe GROUEIX, General Manager of TotalEnergies EP Uganda, emphasized the company’s long-standing support for education in the country.
“Over the years, we have placed great emphasis on supporting educational institutions in Uganda, such as UPIK, Makerere and Kyambogo Universities, to develop the capacities required to train more Ugandans in oil and gas disciplines,” he stated.
“Today’s handover is aimed at augmenting this support in line with our commitments to national content development and youth inclusion and education. Currently, over 1,500 Ugandans have been trained in various transferable technical skills with international certifications that enhance their employability in Uganda and abroad.”
The comprehensive support package includes eight (8) high-performance computer hardware stations for each university, comprised of eight (8) tower servers, sixteen (16) monitors, and essential peripherals.
TotalEnergies EP Uganda invested over USD200,000 (over UGX770,000,000) in this hardware. Complementing this investment, SLB provided four (4) specialized training software licenses: Petrel, Techlog, Eclipse & Petromod.
These industry-leading software packages are installed and configured on each computer hardware station, providing students with access to the same tools used by professionals in the field.
Furthermore, SLB will conduct training sessions for university faculty in July 2025 to ensure effective utilization of the software and will continue to renew the licenses annually, ensuring ongoing access to cutting-edge technology.
Valerian PFRIMMER, Managing Director for East and South Africa at SLB, reinforced the company’s commitment to developing national content in Uganda. “By donating four of our industry-leading software platforms: Petrel™, Techlog, Eclipse™, and Petromod, we are bridging the gap between classroom theory and field application,” he explained.
“These platforms cover the full spectrum of exploration and production and are essential to real-world operations. They not only enhance petroleum geoscience and engineering education but also serve as strategic enablers for national development.”
The equipment was gratefully received by the heads of the respective institutions: Prof. Juma Kasozi, representing the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University; Dr. John Okuonzi, representing the Vice Chancellor of Kyambogo University; and Prof. Jude T. Lubega, the Vice Chancellor of Nkumba University. All expressed their sincere appreciation to TotalEnergies and SLB for their invaluable support, recognizing the significant impact it will have on the quality of oil and gas education in Uganda.
The handover ceremony was also attended by key stakeholders, including Betty Namubiru, the Manager of National Content at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (representing the Executive Director), as well as representatives from joint venture partners CNOOC, Uganda National Oil Company, and EACOP Ltd, further highlighting the collaborative effort to develop a skilled and capable Ugandan workforce for the oil and gas sector. This initiative promises to pave the way for a brighter future, fueled by local talent and expertise, within Uganda’s burgeoning energy landscape.
