UDSM shines again internationally: SoMG students excel at Petroleum Conference
Two students from the University of Dar es Salaam School of Mines and Geoscience (SoMG) made remarkable presentations at the 10th East African Petroleum Conference which was held recently in Kampala, Uganda.
The two students were Rachel Sabuni who is undertaking PhD studies in Petroleum Geology and Ng’wigonji John Kidai, who is pursuing a Masters of Science in Petroleum Engineering.
Ms. Sabuni, and Mr. Kidai presented topics, entitled, ‘Petroleum Systems and Hydrocarbon Potentiality of Ruvuma Basin, Tanzania’, and ‘Application of machine learning as a soft sensor for predicting gas wellhead pressure: a case study of Songo songo gas field, Tanzania’, respectively.
The presentations, which were described by many as “excellent and relevant proposals on pertinent mechanisms and solutions towards achieving efficient and proper use of energy globally”, manifested the University of Dar es Salaam's scholarly efforts in offering solutions to societal problems.
Significant contribution on oil and gas sectors
According to the Dean of SoMG, Dr. Elisante Mshiu, the presentations of the two students demonstrated the significant contribution the University of Dar es Salaam and other academic and research institutions had on the oil and gas sectors in the country and the world at large.
“Their papers were exclusively selected to be presented at this conference because they demonstrated the importance of research findings in addressing socio-ecomic challenges facing the society”, said Dr. Mshiu.
The conference, whose theme was ‘East Africa as a hub for investment in exploration and exploitation of petroleum resources for sustainable energy and socio-economic development’, brought together participants from the East Africa region and other parts of the world.
Meanwhile, in his message about this occasion, the Secretary General of the East African Community Hon. Dr. Peter Mutuku Mathuki said that the conference was an avenue for EAC Partner States to showcase the potential for oil and gas that exists in the region and report on the ongoing activities in exploration, development and production of the two commodities.
“In this conference, the EAC Partner States will share their policy, legal and regulatory frameworks and other initiatives aimed at continually improving the enabling and facilitative environment for the industry”, said Dr. Mathuki.
Outstanding performance at Commercial Arbitration Moot Competititon
The excellent performance of UDSM-SoMG students at Uganda happened just after a few weeks when three University of Dar es Salaam School of Law (UDSoL) students performed marvelously in the prestigious Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Competition held in Vienna, Austria.
This competition took place from 31st March to 6th April 2023 and drew more than 2500 students from 89 countries who were divided into 378 teams.
The competition was divided into two phases: the written rounds conducted remotely and the oral hearing held physically in Vienna. UDSM team comprised of competent Bachelor of Laws (LLB) students namely Ms. Getrude Naphatali Makunganya, Ms. Elaine Bawazir, and Mr. Joseph Isaac Masangula.
The Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot is a competition for law students to foster the study and practice of international commercial sales law and arbitration, and students from all countries are eligible.