iicorr and the University of Aberdeen join forces to tackle subsea skills shortages

Citation

(2010), "iicorr and the University of Aberdeen join forces to tackle subsea skills shortages", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 57 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2010.12857dab.007

iicorr and the University of Aberdeen join forces to tackle subsea skills shortages

Article Type: Industrial news From: Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Volume 57, Issue 4

Aberdeen-based integrity, inspection and corrosion specialist iicorr has strengthened ties between industry and academia having been invited to contribute to the Subsea Engineering MSc course by the University of Aberdeen.

iicorr Managing Director George Watson and Technical Director Mark Wilson delivered the introductory lecture on the subject of subsea integrity management and implementation within upstream oil and gas infrastructure in February. A second lecture on the topic of corrosion protection practices, concentrating on cathodic protection, was planned for March.

iicorr is a leading player in the global integrity, inspection and corrosion market employing around 200 people at its bases in Aberdeen and at key locations internationally.

The company runs a Centre of Excellence for the oil and gas industry in partnership with some of the world’s leading universities. The online site was set up to help raise asset integrity standards internationally, as well as helping to promote the sector to engineering students.

Mr Wilson said: “It was during discussions with the university about how data collected from our Centre of Excellence could be integrated into the MSc course that the opportunity arose to deliver the introductory lecture. It is a brilliant opportunity for iicorr to help shape the structure of the course, ensuring that students are learning skills which will be of real benefit to industry in the future.”

“The UK’s dominant position in the subsea sector is under threat due to a significant shortage of engineering talent. It is essential that industry and education come together to build the skills of young people.”

The University of Aberdeen has extensive links with the energy industry and an excellent record for providing opportunities for collaborative research with industry partners.

Dr Ekaterina Pavlovskaia, Programme Coordinator for MSc in Subsea Engineering in the University of Aberdeen, said: “Launched in 2008, the MSc in Subsea Engineering is a new and exciting postgraduate programme aimed at providing engineers with the necessary skills and knowledge for them to make an immediate impact in the subsea engineering industry.”

“During the last two years strong support has been received for the programme from the subsea industry both locally and internationally. We are delighted to strengthen this support further by bringing senior professional subsea engineers from iicorr to contribute to the Subsea Integrity course. The School of Engineering recognises the vital importance of delivering modules which are academically sound and industry relevant, and the collaboration with iicorr helps us to achieve this goal.”

Forging links between academic institutions and industry has been a top priority for iicorr in recent years and the firm currently has links with universities in Aberdeen, Southampton and Glasgow, and with Adam Smith College in Fife.

iicorr Ltd is a specialist technology company in integrity, inspection and corrosion, providing consultancy, management, engineering, and operational support in the oil and gas, process, utilities, and marine industry sectors. The company headquarters are in Aberdeen and there are operational offices in Baku, Kuala Lumpur, Perth, Australia, and Houston.

For more information, visit: www.iicorr.com