On 25 May, the Student Chapter Development Workshop (SCDW), an annual online event led by the SPE Universitas Indonesia Student Chapter (SPE UI SC) that gathers SPE student chapters from around the world, was held in collaboration with the SPE Baku Higher Oil School Student Chapter from Azerbaijan, pairing two chapters from different regions to host a global classroom.
So what is the workshop really for? Mostly, it's about bringing chapters from different parts of the world together, getting students in the same room as industry professionals, and helping younger members grow into the field. The logic is hard to argue with: the students SPE supports today become the engineers shaping the energy transition in the years ahead.
A Global Turnout, a Shared Question: SCDW 2026 Bridges the Knowledge Gap for Chapters
The 2026 SCDW drew over 200 participants representing 59 student chapters from seven SPE regions, reflecting the program's growing international reach. This year's workshop carried the theme "Architecting a Net-Zero Reality: Chapters Catalyzing Carbon Management Innovation." The thinking behind it is that reaching net zero won't come down to technology alone; it needs people who understand the shift and are ready to act on it. Student chapters are well positioned for this: close enough to the classroom to keep learning, and close enough to industry to see where things are headed. By focusing the day on carbon management and the energy transition, SCDW 2026 put a practical question to everyone in the room.
What part can student chapters actually play in moving the industry toward net zero, and how do they start now?
Mapping the Road to Net Zero: Professionals’ Voices on Carbon and the Energy Transition
SCDW 2026 opened with remarks from Koji Yamamoto, SPE Asia Pacific Regional Director, who welcomed participants and shared an overview of SPE's direction across the region. He was followed by Ardian Nengkoda, founder of SPE UI SC, who reflected on how the chapter has grown into a platform for students to learn from one another and contribute to the industry.
The first keynote was delivered by Jennifer Miskimins, the 2026 SPE President and Department Head and Professor of Petroleum Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. In her session, "Energizing Tomorrow: Solutions. People. Energy.," she discussed SPE's role in shaping the future of energy toward a net-zero reality, highlighting how innovation, collaboration, and people-driven solutions will define the industry's next chapter. Her message to students was clear: Stay adaptable, keep advancing your technical skills, and see yourselves as active contributors to the energy transition.
The second keynote was delivered by Aleksandra Khramtseva, program committee chair of the SPE Azerbaijan Section and CCUS technical sales lead at Baker Hughes. Under the sub-theme "Translating Carbon Concepts Into Actionable Innovations for Student Chapters," she focused on "Carbon Markets Unpacked: From Industry Trends to Career Paths." She walked participants through how carbon markets and the energy transition are reshaping the industry, showing that sustainability is not just a concept but a fast-growing field of opportunity. Her message to students was just as direct: Stay updated about carbon markets, build the skills now, and position your chapter to lead in a net-zero economy.
Beyond the Keynotes: Where Students Shared What Matters Most
Between the keynotes, participants got a look at SPE UI SC's Oil Week program before splitting into breakout rooms based on their chosen topic. There were seven rooms, and each took on a different challenge that chapters deal with. Some rooms talked through how to develop the next generation of energy leaders or how to actually prepare for technical contests like PetroBowl and student paper competitions. Others looked at the longer-term side of running a chapter: building a brand people recognize, helping members move from campus to career, and figuring out what it takes to earn global recognition. The other topics were centered on impact beyond the chapter itself, community engagement and sustainability, and building stronger ties with industry partners.
The discussions highlighted both the challenges and opportunities faced by student chapters across different regions. The event then concluded with closing remarks from Siyavash Motealleh, chairperson of the SPE Azerbaijan Section. For him, the real value of the day was the collaboration across chapters. For SPE UI SC, SCDW is something to keep building on. The plan from here is to grow the program, bring in new partners, and make each edition more useful for the students who attend.
The SPE Universitas Indonesia Student Chapter is sponsored by the SPE Java Indonesia Section.
Nayla Yuripatasha Komaruddin, SPE, is deputy director of journalism for SPE Universitas Indonesia Student Chapter. She is a chemical engineering student and is involved in student-led media and communications, with a strong interest in energy-related storytelling and industry developments.
Gina Ramadhania Wahyu, SPE, is deputy director of external affairs for SPE Universitas Indonesia Student Chapter. She is a chemical engineering student and focuses on partnerships and external engagement initiatives. She is interested in exploring the oil and gas industry and the energy transition.