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IPTC 2026 Logo
        13–14 JANUARY 2026
        DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

    13–14 January 2026
    Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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IPTC Logo

    13–14 January 2026
    Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Education Week

IPTC Summit
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EDUCATION WEEK – International Undergraduate University Students

One of the key youth programmes and most comprehensive, is the exclusive university student IPTC Education Week. This programme offers a unique experience that aims to assist selected students with their transition from student to young professional. IPTC Education Week will typically host up to 100 of the best senior undergraduate science, geoscience, and engineering students from national and international institutions around the world.

Top-performing university students will be the ones to shape the future of energy, and IPTC recognizes the importance of providing real-life experiences outside of the classroom to help develop these young talents.  In each edition of IPTC senior undergraduate science, geoscience, and engineering students from around the world are invited to participate in IPTC’s Education Week. The programme aims to give students a unique and exclusive insight into the industry they are about to join, allowing them to return to their universities and colleges with a positive story to share with their peers. They will be given the opportunity throughout the five-day programme to form new friendships with colleagues from around the world, whilst working together on a joint activity, as well as many chances to interact with major industry employers who are looking to recruit the best talent. Under the theme of ‘Shaping the Future of Energy,’ participating students will walk away from this edition of Education Week with long-lasting connections and memories.

During this five-day programme, students will experience a multitude of activities that aim to prepare them for life beyond university. These activities may include: developing their professional skills by learning from experienced and young professionals, working together on joint projects, networking with their peers and executives in the oil and gas industry, attending IPTC technical and panel sessions and participating in dynamic field trips.

NOTE: Students’ travel and accommodation will be covered by IPTC through sponsorships.

IPTC EDUCATION WEEK •  10 – 14 February 2024

Schedule

Keynote Address

 

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SATURDAY, 10 FEBRUARY | WELCOME GALA DINNER

Sultana Ballroom | voco Al Khobar

17:30 – 19:00 Welcome, Registration, and Briefing
19:00 – 21:00

IPTC 2024 Education Week Welcome Gala Dinner
Welcome Remarks from Chairperson, Seba AlMaghlouth, Innovation and Digitalization Lead, Aramco

Education Week will kick-off with inspiring opening remarks from the Committee Chairperson, followed by an engaging icebreaker activity and an ITPC 2022 Alumni Story. Students will meet each other for the first time and have the chance to interact with the Education Week Programme Committee and other IPTC executives.

SUNDAY, 11 FEBRUARY | FIELD TRIP

Field Trip Sites | Techno Valley

 10:00 – 14:30

Dhahran Techno Valley (DTV) Field Trip

The purpose of the site visit is to expose IPTC students to the practical aspects of the petroleum technology

sector by providing them with a firsthand experience of the operations, technologies, and work environment

within leading companies. This field trip will give students the opportunity to gain insights, expand their

knowledge, and interact with professionals in the field. During the trip students will rotate through different

organizations in DTV including:

 

AIR PRODUCTS

Students will experience an enlightening presentation on the company's mission and its position in the energy

sector, with a focus on green, blue, and gray energy processes. Representatives will address inquiries and provide

a hands-on demonstration of the hydrogen process for practical understanding.

 

Baker Hughes (BH)

Students will have the opportunity to learn about an R&D project focused on automated well planning and

construction, as well as the latest advancements in material and data science relevant to the oil and gas sector.

Additionally, they will engage in a Q&A session with top subject matter experts in the field of borehole technology.

 

NESR

Students will be exposed to NORI's operational lab, which utilizes advanced technologies like AI and sensors to

enhance oil industry efficiencies and reduce carbon footprint. They will also gain insights into the chemical lab's

focus on developing sustainable and cost-effective fluid chemistry for upstream services.

 

King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM)

Students will have the opportunity to explore various laboratories and advanced technologies in data

acquisition, and analysis, including,3D modeling, virtual reality, App, web & research developments. In addition

to the Sustainable and Resilient Material laboratory which tackle industrial challenges within the oil and gas

sector from a sustainable perspective.

 
14:30 – 16:30

Heritage Village Visit with Lunch and Prayers

As part of the visit, students will have the opportunity to experience the rich Saudi culture and tradition at the Heritage Village. They will enjoy a traditional Saudi lunch and explore the village, which includes a small museum showcasing the history of Saudi Arabia. This visit aims to provide international students with a glimpse into Saudi culture.

 

MONDAY, 12 FEBRUARY | EDUCATION WEEK SESSIONS

Future Leaders Zone | Dhahran Expo

09:00 - 09:15

Opening and Welcome Remarks from Committee Leadership
09:15 - 10:45

Speed Networking & Career Guidance Session

This session will give students a chance to casually interact with professionals in the industry and ask their burning questions in a smaller round-table format. 

Speed Networking Advisors:

Ahmed El Zohry, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals

Aishah Khalid Abdullah, Geologist; Exploration Group, KOC

Feras H. Rowaihy, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)

Hassan Shafia, Data Management Generalist; Supply Chain, Arabian Drilling

Heba Al Mana, Petroleum Engineer, Aramco

Khalid S. Al-Abdulwahed, Training Director, Saudi Petroleum Services Polytechnic (SPSP)

Mohammed Alhawaj, Engineer, NESR

Omaima Al Droushi, Processing Geophysicist, Petroleum Development Oman (PDO)

Yasmeen Alufaisan, IT Systems Analyst, Aramco

Terki Al Bassam, Senior Petroleum Engineer, Aramco

Zayed Abdulla Al Shayea, Acting Manager, Project Engineering, ADNOC

10:45 - 11:00

Coffee Break

11:00 – 12:15

From Emissions to Ambitions: The Role of CCS & CCE in Tackling the Energy Trilemma and Achieving Net Zero Ambitions

Facilitated by Feras H. Rowaihy, Energy Transition & CCS Scholar, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)

12:15 - 13:15

Delegate Lunch and Prayers
13:15 – 13:30

Keynote Address

Yousif Al Tahan, Director of Upstream Transformation Office, Aramco
13:30 - 14:45

Panel: Unleashing Potential – Preparing Students for the Future Market

Moderated by Nora Alsudari, Aramco

Panelists:

Dr. Saleh Abdulaziz Alshebil, Assistant Professor of Marketing, KFUPM

Bedoor Abdulaziz AlKaabi, Manager Career Development, Aramco

Join our esteemed panelists as they discuss the critical skills and adaptable mindset needed for students to thrive in the future. Explore ‘must-have’ technical expertise and adaptable professional skills, and discover how industry-specific knowledge sets and reliant skill sets can drive success across sectors.

This panel will include an exchange of insights, real-world examples, and actionable strategies whilst unlocking the boundless potential of students. preparing them for the exciting future of work.

14:45 - 15:00

Coffee Break

15:00 - 16:30

Field Development Challenge by SLB – An Introduction

Facilitated by Mohammed Aljaafari

‘Unlock the Reserves,’ a 2-day field development challenge that takes teams of students

through different phases of oil field development in order to come up with an optimal plan. After finalizing each team’s plan, their wells will be placed in the actual model and run to get field production. The costs will be recorded from the facilities and drilling sections. the team with the highest Net Present Value will be the winner.

As part of the challenge, we provided students with a training dataset along with the software and customized manuals necessary to succeed in this challenge. This program used four SLB software (Petrel, Intersect, IAM, PIPESIM). At the end of the event, each participating team will present their results and get evaluated by our onsite SMEs on their results.

16:30 - 16:45

Coffee Break
16:45 - 18:00

Field Development Challenge Continued

 

 

 

From Emissions to Ambitions:

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Panel: Unleashing Potential – Preparing Students for the Future Market Library couldn't be loaded. It might not be active.
 

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TUESDAY, 13 FEBRUARY | IPTC

Dhahran Expo

09:00 – 17:30

Visit to IPTC Exhibition and Sessions

Students are free to visit the sessions of their choice and wander the exhibition.

 

WEDNESDAY, 14 FEBRUARY | CLOSING AND AWARDS

Dhahran Expo

09:00 - 09:15

Welcome Remarks from Committee Leadership

09:15 - 12:30

Field Development Challenge completion

Student Teams are to complete the Field Development Challenge. The IPTC Committee will then determine the top three teams, which will later be announced at the IPTC Closing Ceremony

12:30 – 12:45

Closing Remarks

Moutaz Mashhour, Executive Vice President – Shared Services, Taqa

12:45 - 14:00

Delegate Lunch and Prayers
14:00 – 15:00

Visit to IPTC Exhibition and Sessions

Students are free to visit the sessions of their choice and wander the exhibition as they please. All students must make their own way to the IPTC Closing Ceremony by 1500 sharp!
15:00 – 16:00

IPTC Closing Ceremony and Awards Presentation for

Announcement of the Top Three Teams in the Field Development Challenge

The top three IPTC Education Week teams that completed the Field Development Challenge will be recognized and announced at the official IPTC Closing Ceremony.
16:00 – 17:30

Final Visit at IPTC Exhibition and Sessions

Students are free to visit the sessions of their choice and wander the exhibition as they please for the final time.

19:00 – 22:00

IPTC 2024 Education Week Farewell Gala Dinner | voco Al Khobar 

IPTC will provide one last hurrah before all students go off to their respective countries! The closing dinner will be full of casual fun, entertainment, and sharing of memories formed over the last week.

To kick-off the evening participants will have the opportunity to engage in cultural activities including a Saudi dance performance, showcasing the rich traditions and heritage of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, a photo booth with a Saudi cultural theme will be available for students to take memorable photos at. There will also be an informal awards ceremony to recognize individual students for excelling in various categories throughout the event. Last, but certainly not least, there will be an appreciation ceremony for all committee members and volunteers who helped to make IPTC Education Week happen.

Enjoy the company of your new friends one last time in person, before saying ‘see you later!’

Close

 

 

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Who can Apply?

Students must be nominated by their Faculty Advisor in order to apply for the programme.  Nominees should be top undergraduate students enrolled in full-time studies, either in their 3rd or 4th/final year of studies.  They should be studying within a programme that aligns with IPTC, such as science, geoscience, and engineering and must be a member of one of the four participating societies – AAPG, SEG, EAGE or SPE.  Please see full nomination criteria below.

Once a student has been nominated, they will receive the full online application form, which is the responsibility of the student to complete by the deadline.

How are Students Selected?

Students will be selected by the IPTC Young Member Activities – Education Week Committee on the basis of information provided in their application.  All students will be notified in November 2023 about the selection results. It is anticipated that up to 100 students will be invited to participate.

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How can a Faculty Advisor Nominate a Student?

Faculty Advisors from the four participating societies will be contacted by IPTC with the online nomination form.  Faculty Advisors may then nominate a maximum of four students from the society they represent at their institution.  If a Faculty Advisor represents two or more societies at their institution, they may nominate up to four from each society they represent.

Faculty Advisors must ensure that all nominees meet all nomination criteria and are encouraged to consider nominations who not only excel in academic performance, but also show initiative with leadership, and participation in extra-curricular activities.  

Student Nomination Criteria

In order to be nominated a student must meet all criteria listed below.  Students must:

  • Be enrolled in full-time, undergraduate studies in their 3rd or 4th/final year as of 1 September 2023. 
  • Be a member of one or more of the four sponsoring societies – AAPG, EAGE, SEG and/or SPE.
  • Have excellent proficiency in written and spoken English. 
  • Obtain permission from their programme department to be away from their studies from 10 – 15 February 2024 plus travel days. 
  • Be able to demonstrate in evidence that they are in the top 40% of their class or major. 
  • Not participated in previous IPTC, AAPG, EAGE, SEG, or SPE Education Programmes. 
  • Follow the IPTC Education Week Code of Conduct and be able to commit in writing to their institution and IPTC that they will attend IPTC Education Week as scheduled.

Nomination and Application Deadline: 25 September 2023

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IPTC Education Week Program Overview

Below is a potential outline of the 5-day Education Week Programme.  The final 2024 agenda may differ.

Day 1 – Welcome Reception and Dinner with IPTC Executives

Students will be welcomed on their first evening with a Welcome Dinner Reception.  They will have the chance to meet one another for the first time, as well as network and interact with industry executives and committee members.

Day 2 – Field Trips around Dhahran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 

Students will be taken on one or more field trips with either an industry or cultural focus.

Day 3 – Education Week Sessions

This day will be packed with a number of activities that will be tailored specifically to the Education Week students. These may include panel speaker sessions, interactive networking sessions or games, presentations by industry executives, round-table discussions and more.

Day 4 – International Petroleum Technology Conference (IPTC)

Students will have the chance to explore IPTC for the whole day.  They will have access to a number of delegate activities including, technical sessions, panel sessions, and the exhibition floor.

Day 5 – IPTC and Education Week Closing 

Student teams will have the opportunity to complete their team assignment.  All assignments will be assessed or judged in order to select the top three teams, who will then be announced and awarded at the IPTC Closing Ceremony.

 

Team Assignment

Each IPTC Education Week, students are grouped together in teams and given a joint project or assignment to work on at IPTC Education Week and sometimes prior to arriving as well.  The team assignment will typically be judged or assessed so that the top three teams will be awarded at IPTC.

 

For more information, including how to nominate please contact Jackie Hoffmann at jhoffmann@iptcnet.org

 

Nomination and Application Deadline: 25 September 2023

YMA

Photo from IPTC 2022 Education Week held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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