The University of Houston's student chapter of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) was recently awarded the 2024 Presidential Award for Outstanding Student Chapter (PAOSC) in the Technical Dissemination category. This category considers chapter participation in activities and experiences like field trips, research programs, symposiums, technical presentations and training courses.
The PAOSC recognizes "chapters whose programs, activities, and levels of participation distinguish them from other chapters" and is awarded to the top 10% of eligible student chapters in each scoring category. There are currently 412 total student chapters around the world, and the UH chapter was one of 23 chapters recognized with this award in 2024. Awardees will be recognized during the President's Luncheon at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition this September in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Their current faculty advisor and distinguished professor of petroleum engineering Ganesh Thakur, Ph.D., NAE, NAI, emphasizes that this award is the result of much cooperative effort.
"I would like to thank previous faculty advisors Dr. Christine Ehlig-Economides and Dr. Kyung Jae Lee for advising the student chapter before I took this role," said Thakur.
The SPE mission "to connect a global community of engineers, scientists and related energy professionals to exchange knowledge, innovate and advance their technical and professional competence regarding the exploration, development and production of oil and gas and related energy sources to achieve a safe, secure and sustainable energy future" is well-served by participating students at the University of Houston.
“SPE UH could not have achieved this without the support and encouragement we received from our esteemed faculty members, students and faculty advisors,” said Abdulrahman Abdulwarith, UH SPE student chapter president. “To Dr. Ganesh Thakur, our SPE student chapter faculty advisor and distinguished professor of petroleum engineering, and all who have contributed to the success of this achievement, we are truly grateful. Dr. Thakur has relentlessly guided us to achieve the best performance as an SPE student chapter.”
Thakur looks forward to seeing the chapter continue its legacy of excellence in the upcoming year.
“[The students'] efforts to maintain the high standards we have set have been amazing, and I am confident in their ability to lead us to further success," he concluded.
The UH SPE chapter is generously supported by industry partners and alumni who give their time and resources to ensure its success. Student membership dues to the Society are paid in full by valued industry partner Chevron.