Nearly 3 years after its pause, students will now have the opportunity to enroll in the University of Calgary’s oil and gas engineering program. Anders Nygren, Interim Dean of the Schulich School of Engineering, and Arin Sen, Department Head, Chemical, and Petroleum Engineering, participated in an exclusive Q&A with The Way Ahead to discuss how the program will evolve once its reinstated.
TWA: What factors contributed to the decision to reinstate the oil and gas engineering program after a 3-year hiatus?
Anders Nygren (AN): When the program was paused in July 2021 due to very low enrollment, we intended to review demand regularly to pursue reinstatement of the program in the future. Over the next 3 years, we had ongoing dialogue with numerous key stakeholders, which included prospective and current students, faculty, staff, alumni, and industry. The valuable feedback we received from these groups supported the program's reinstatement. Therefore, over the past few months, we have successfully pursued a series of approvals both at the faculty and university levels to move ahead with the relaunch. The reactivation of this program is an essential step for our school. We have a long history of being leaders in energy education, research, and innovation, and we are now focused on offering a world-class program that will prepare students to become future leaders across the entire energy sector.
TWA: Which term will the program begin?
Arin Sen (AS): The oil and gas engineering major will be available as an option for students entering their first year of engineering studies in fall 2024. All students go through a common first year of studies before they select their major, so the incoming class can make that choice heading into the 2025–2026 school year.
TWA: What feedback have you received from industry contacts and partners regarding the demand for qualified engineers?
AS: While we were consulting with industry about the potential relaunch of the program, it was clear that there is now demand for qualified students. Feedback from industry contacts and partners indicated that they were looking for students with a strong energy-related knowledge base, the ability to solve complex problems, and key professional skills. The demand for qualified engineers is driven, in part, by the changing needs of an evolving industry, and we will strive to ensure that our programs create graduates who will be able to enter the energy industry, adapt to change, and drive the sector forward.
TWA: Has the curriculum been modified in response to the feedback provided? If so, what are the modifications?
AN: We regularly review all Schulich School of Engineering programs as part of a continuous improvement process and update them as necessary. The oil and gas engineering program is currently being reviewed, and if needed, will be updated to ensure that it is relevant today while also being future-focused to meet the needs of our students, profession, and community going forward.
TWA: What are the strategies in place to attract and retain qualified professors with up-to-date industry experience for the program?
AS: During the program suspension, we continued our commitment to the energy industry through other programming. Specifically, our programs in chemical engineering and mechanical engineering have continued to train large numbers of students, and the energy sector traditionally hires many of our graduates from these disciplines. We also offer a bachelor's of science degree in energy engineering, and our professional master's degrees of engineering programs have continued to expand and include specializations in petroleum engineering and pipeline engineering. We have been able to offer these programs because of the strong team of professors who have in-depth knowledge of the oil and gas industry and continue to work in partnership with organizations in this sector. Many of these individuals have been with Schulich for years, and their success can be attributed, in part, to their willingness to adapt to the changing needs of industry, and their contributions to the development of new technologies which help to propel the industry forward. Our oil- and gas-related programming will be resourced appropriately as it continues to evolve to ensure that our students get the best training possible to pursue career opportunities in the energy sector.
TWA: What feedback have you received from former and prospective students about the program’s reinstatement?
AN: They were excited! Through our stakeholder engagement process, we have recently observed an increase in the number of prospective students interested in pursuing a career specifically in the energy sector. Like many alumni before them, these prospective students appreciate that in the department of chemical and petroleum engineering at the Schulich School of Engineering, they would have the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the world and receive a well-rounded education both inside and outside the classroom that will enable them to join and succeed in an important and evolving industry.
TWA: How many students are estimated to join the program?
AN: It’s too early to say at this point. Each year, we welcome more than 1,000 new students to our faculty. As mentioned, they will take a common first year of courses and then decide on their major before entering their second year. Schulich has guaranteed program placement, meaning qualified students can pursue any engineering major. It will be our job over the next few months to promote the relaunched program to ensure students know that it is now an option for them and that training in this area provides them with excellent career potential.
When students select their engineering major, they pay close attention to opportunities in the current job market. By providing internships and other work opportunities to our students, our industry partners play an essential role in creating demand for education in the area.
TWA: Reports have indicated that industry layoffs were a cause for the program’s hiatus. Will the university be collaborating with industry partners to help students find placement after they graduate?
AS: We are fortunate to have great relationships with our industry partners, which allow us to offer internships and other work-oriented opportunities to both our undergraduate and graduate students. In many situations, those students create a solid foundation with their employer and are offered full-time employment upon graduation. Our engineering career center is an excellent resource for students to get advice on job placement, develop professional skills, and connect with industry for their future careers.