Over 200 attend TotalEnergies’ Al Reyada Energy Seminar 2023
STUDENTS and young professionals got an ideal platform to acquire practical knowledge on the current challenges in the field of energy at the Al Reyada Energy Seminar 2023 organised by TotalEnergies Qatar from May 15 to 17.
The seminar, with experienced professors from TotalEnergies Professors Associates (TPA), contributed to fostering the growth and development of more than 220 participants from different universities and companies in Qatar. By connecting industry and academia, the event provided attendees with unique opportunities to learn from experienced professors and engage in fruitful discussions on challenges within the industry. Throughout the seminar, a strong emphasis was placed on the significance of sustainability and the need to transition to cleaner energy sources in order to effectively address climate change.
In his opening remarks, Matthieu Bouyer, managing director of TotalEnergies EP Qatar and country chair, expressed his delight, stating, “Al Reyada is a unique platform for students and young professionals to interact with highly experienced and skilled professors from TotalEnergies. The large number of participants in this 4th edition shows the interest of the young generation in the dynamic energy sector.”
This year marks the fourth edition of this highly anticipated seminar, which is an integral part of the broader TAMKEEN programme. Launched in 2021 by TotalEnergies Qatar, TAMKEEN aims to enhance educational and training opportunities, contributing to the development of local talent for success in the energy industry. Since its inception, more than 1,600 people have benefitted from various university lectures, expert workshops, on-the-job training, and capacity-building events.
For this seminar, TotalEnergies collaborated with TPA, an association comprising more than 250 working and retired TotalEnergies experts from diverse fields who devote part of their time to performing lectures. The topic of this year was “Challenges in the Energy Sector”. TPA professors Christian Guéritte and Jérôme Ferrier shared their extensive experiences and expertise, providing insights and covering topics ranging from sustainability and innovation to the impact of recent geopolitical events in Europe in particular.
In addition to the seminar discussions, the event featured team-building activities and networking opportunities for participants to connect with industry professionals and peers. TotalEnergies Qatar’s Human Resource Development teams also conducted mock interviews for the students, providing an opportunity for them to enhance their soft skills and prepare for future career prospects.
The seminar concluded with a gala dinner with dignitaries from TotalEnergies Qatar’s partner academic and industry institutions, and seminar participants. Dr. Salem Al Naemi, president of University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) who was the Al Reyada 2023 gala dinner guest speaker, highlighted the importance of building strong academia-industry relationships and commended TotalEnergies’ role in supporting initiatives like TAMKEEN. Dr. Al Naemi praised the efforts to provide valuable support and opportunities to students, acknowledging the positive impact on their education and future careers.
During the closing ceremony, Matthieu Bouyer expressed his gratitude to the TotalEnergies Professor Association (TPA) and all educational institutions and industry members who supported the event, stating, “This seminar aligns with TotalEnergies’ sustainability strategy that aims at developing education and knowledge. We aim to contribute to and develop ties with the society in the countries in which we operate, and Al Reyada reflects our commitment as a long-term partner of Qatar and QatarEnergy.”
He also highlighted the significance of Al Reyada in educating and nurturing the minds of young talents in Qatar, saying, “Al Reyada seminar contributes to helping young talents in Qatar to explore, question, and expand their perspectives and to open their minds. Having professors with such a wide industry practical experience helps these young talents develop a practical understanding of the energy sector.”