53 bag distinction, 356 upper credit at PTI convocation

THE best graduating National Diploma student from the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Mr Okenwa Chidinma David, has appealed to the Federal Government and other stakeholders to assist the upgrade of classroom blocks and furniture for a more conducive learning environment.

Okenwa made the appeal last Saturday during the graduation ceremony of the institute at PTI Conference Centre, Effurun-Warri Delta State.

A total of 53 students and 356 others bagged Distinction and Upper Credit respectively at the event which was attended by members of the academia and stakeholders from the oil and gas sector.

Principal of the institute, Professor S. E Iyuke, who expressed his delight at the improvements noticeable in the school, said a total of 400 graduates were awarded National Diploma, 639 graduates with the Higher National Diploma and 47 graduates received the PTI General Welding Certificate.

While speaking on the challenges confronting the institute, Professor Iyuke said placement for the students’ industrial training has continued to be a challenge to the institute.

“The Petroleum Training Institute Students Industrial Work Experience is a prerequisite for the ND students to be admitted into the HND programme as stated in the SIWES and PTI Academic Standard Rules & Regulations.

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“This exercise enables our students to acquire and develop the necessary skills required in the petroleum industry,” he noted.

He appealed to IOCs and other operators in the petroleum industry to accept PTI students and avail them the opportunity to prove themselves.

Meanwhile, the chairman, PTI governing council, Mr. M. D. B. Ladan, during his remarks, disclosed that the Federal Government has put machinery in place to reposition the Petroleum Training Institute to better meet the dynamic needs of the oil industry.

According to him, to achieve this, he said the government has set up a Steering and Technical Committee charged with the responsibility of reviewing the PTI mandate in line with global best practices.

Mr Ladan also appealed to companies in the oil and gas sector to always look inward and collaborate with the PTI in the areas of research and training.

He however, assured that the Department of Petroleum Resources, on its part, would continue to support such partnerships in compliance with the Nigerian Content Development Act.