Emmanuel Ajoma

Why I chose IPE

I chose IPE because it is a world renowned university – one of the best of its kind – my friends like to think it is ranked side by side with Imperial College, but with the quantum of leading edge research going on here, I don't think so. We are simply the best in the UK.

Why I chose the program

Heriot Watt's Msc Petroleum Engineering is designed in such a way that tailors the classroom experience to what is needed in everyday oil and gas operations. With the use of cutting edge technology and software, my ability to solve technical problems analytically has been further enhanced.

My student experience

The campus is in another world of its own with large expanses of greens and trees – a privilege most school down south don't have. HW is truly a beautiful natural international community with a varying mix of students. I have made all sorts of lifelong friends from all kinds of nations I never knew existed on the map. I cannot trade this experience for anything in the world. Well, not that I can think of any just now.

Lifestyle

We were given raw data to develop a field through exploration, appraising, developing, monitoring and decommissioning phases.

Due to the rigorous year, I've had to adjust to do things promptly as they come. Even when it is a new subject matter, all I do now is take the initial small steps and every other thing falls in place. I'm very time conscious now.

There is also a lot to go round and a huge choice of places to hang out with friends and make new ones whatever your social preferences are in terms of tastes and interest in the city of Edinburgh

Highlight of my year

My Field Development Project, where we were given raw data to develop a field through exploration, appraising, developing, monitoring and decommissioning phases. We had to work in a team of seven (7), a multi-cultural team bringing ideas to the table, simulating an actual industry environment with managing directors from Talisman, BP etc coming around to check up our progression. It was the best of my learning curve process.

My career plans

Given that I am internationally mobile, I'd like to work for a multinational Oil and gas company, grow up to the managerial position in the coming years, be a resource authority in my field and just maybe delve into consultancy. I'm simply 'distinctly ambitious'. To add to all these, HW is the Scottish University of the year 2012.