The SASTEC 2024, held at Makerere University, was themed “Transformative Synergy with Advancing Technologies.” The event brought together a diverse audience, including students from across Africa, representatives from over ten universities, as well as professionals and academicians in the petroleum and geology sectors, to engage in discussions on advancements and innovations in the field. The event featured paper presentations, exhibitions, networking opportunities, and knowledge-sharing panels from experienced professionals from TotalEnergies E&P Uganda Limited, CNOOC Uganda, SLB, UNOC, Petroleum Authority of Uganda, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, G&G Skills, Barrel Magazine, GSU, Aldelia, and other sector players. Most importantly the event featured and hosted the SPE Africa Regional Paper Contest and the National and Regional SPE PetroBowl competition.
Alexander Ifeaniike from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria the winner of the SPE Africa Regional Paper Contest being awarded by former ARD
The PetroBowl® competition is an annual quiz event where SPE student chapter teams compete in quick-fire rounds, answering both technical and non-technical industry-related questions. Since its debut in 2002, it has grown significantly in size and popularity, becoming a global event with regional qualifiers introduced in 2015.
The SASTEC 2024 witnessed enthusiastic participation from over eight universities in the regional and national PetroBowl competitions. In the national finals, the SPE Mbarara University Chapter triumphed over the SPE UPIK University Chapter, successfully defending their title as reigning champions. They advanced to represent Uganda in the regional qualifiers, where they competed fiercely and emerged as finalists alongside SPE Kenyatta University. Ultimately, they clinched victory, earning the honor of representing Africa in the PetroBowl International competition. The PetroBowl International Competition takes place at the Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE) in the USA annually.
Unfortunately, due to limited funds at the time, the triumphant team of the SPE Student Chapter of Mbarara University of Science and Technology did not travel to the PetroBowl International Competition.
Above: Makerere University team emerges as National Winner of the Uganda Regional PetroBowl Contest
The SPE Student Paper Contest (SPC) is a premier competition designed to showcase the technical expertise of students at the undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels. Coordinated across 14 regions, students present their sole-authored technical papers, which are reviewed by a panel of judges through presentations and Q&A sessions.
The most innovative and well-researched papers from regional contests advance to the International Student Paper Contest. The contest is governed by the Young Member Engagement Committee (YMEC), which reports to the SPE International Board of Directors. For the first time, Uganda hosted the SPE Africa Region Student Paper Contest, and the winner was Alexander Ifenaike from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, who was awarded by the Regional Director.
Students exhibiting projects at the SASTCE 2024. The event aims at showcasing students’ innovation in oil and gas, and energy sector at large. The winners of the National and regional Petrobowl Competitions, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, flagged off for International Competitions. The exhibitions showcased the creative minds of university students in Uganda through innovative solutions to pressing issues. Kyambogo University received accolades for the best exhibition, presenting a new technology designed to test water purity, which can be integrated into various industries.
Above: Students and delegates seated at the SPE SASTCE 2024 event
