Makerere University CEDAT Students Set Off for CB&I UK Internship
On Tuesday 27th June 2017, the British High Commission in partnership with CB&I and Makerere University, held a cocktail reception to sign an Engineering placement agreement and send off two students for Oil and Gas placements in the UK.
In his remarks, the High Commissioner welcomed this placement agreement as an opportunity for young Engineers to improve on their skills in the Oil and Gas sector and sighted that it comes as a timely opportunity as Uganda is yet to explore its oil reserves. He encouraged other firms to follow the example of CB&I and said he would be delighted to host events like these because they form an important part of collaboration and partnership between the UK and Uganda.
The event, which was held at the residence of the British High Commissioner in Nakasero was attended by high level delegates from GIZ, Makerere University, CB&I, Total E&P, the Ministry of Energy, the Uganda Parliament and the Private Sector.
Before the official signing of placement agreement, The Principal of CEDAT, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe addressed the invited guests. He thanked CB&I for the initiative and for bringing this opportunity to Makerere University, not only for the internship placements, but for the short courses and future programs they plan to undertake. Prof. Alinaitwe also thanked the students for participating in the placement exercise, for competing and finally for winning the placements. He reminded the guests of the rich partnership Makerere has had with the UK, citing that he and his Deputy, Dr. Venny Nakazibwe, among others, had studied there.
The Students
James thanked high commissioner for hosting the event and CB&I for making the evening possible. “Even though it was very competitive, I thank God I emerged as one of the successful students. Such connections are a missing link in our Country’s growing Petroleum and Gas Industry, the young engineer said. “Trainings like these will enable us become better engineers of tomorrow, engineers that are incorruptible and put service above self.” The 3rd year, Civil Engineering student expressed his excitement for the future and plans on using this training to develop himself further in the area of Geo-Technical Engineering.
Tracy, who learnt of the CB&I opportunity in a conversation with a friend in May this year mentioned that she’d like to use this opportunity to better herself with practical skills from what she learnt in class. She is a 3rd year student of Mechanical Engineering.
The two CEDAT students, James Odong Etot and Tracy Tusiime will carry out their internship at CB&I’s London office. Their internship will run from 3rd July to 11th August 2017.
The Chicago Bridge & Iron Company, commonly known as CB&I, is a large conglomerate engineering, procurement and construction company headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands. CB&I specializes in projects for oil and gas companies. It contacted the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology expressing the interest in partnership in Engineering Internship placements.