The Federal University of Petroleum Resources, (FUPRE) Effurun, Delta
State is the proud host of the latest Professorial Chair that has been
established by The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC)
operated Joint Venture in support of learning and research in Nigerian
universities.
The Shell Professorial Chair at FUPRE is for Lightweight Automobile Engine
Development, and will be staffed by a Professor who will sit in the
Department of Mechanical Engineering, leading studies and research into
the field for an initial period of four years.
“The establishment of the Chair is an important development for the
Nigerian automobile industry,” said Igo Weli, SPDC’s General Manager,
External Relations. “We will have the opportunity of a consistent and
focused research on an industry, the outcome of which will be good news
for the mobility needs of millions of Nigerians.”
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Akii Ibhadode said: “We are
looking for a Professor who should have been in that position for not less
than 10 years, experienced in teaching, research and consulting in
mechanical and automobile engineering as well as internal combustion
engines. The occupant of the Chair starts work in September 2016. This is
a unique Professorial Chair and we are grateful to Shell and its Joint
Venture partners for the confidence reposed in us.”
SPDC JV has long supported the development of automobile engineering in
Nigeria through the sponsorship of University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello
University, Zaria and University of Benin to Shell Eco-marathon in
Rotterdam, a global competition which encourages students to build and
race energy efficient cars.
Mr. Weli said: “We are pleased that the students at FUPRE and also the
Vice Chancellor who worked with us on the Shell Eco-marathon project when
they were at the University of Benin, and even won awards, are continuing
the collaboration on another level at Effurun.”
SPDC JV has also established Professorial Chairs at the University of Port
Harcourt (Petroleum Engineering), University of Uyo (Biodiversity and
Climate Change,) Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife (Geophysics),
University of Nigeria, Nsukka, (Environmental Management and Control) and
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (Mechanical Engineering). Three other
Professorial Chairs are inactive.
Shell Companies in Nigeria have a long history of supporting education
through scholarships and other initiatives. In 2015, the sum of $10.1
million was invested in scholarships alone by SPDC JV and Shell Nigeria
Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo.) A total of 10,401 (secondary)
and 3,532 (university) grants were awarded over the last five years.