It is little wonder that increasing numbers of intelligent students are enrolling in petroleum engineering degrees. With oil and gas forming the backbone of the Brunei economy, the career opportunities for petroleum engineering graduates are bright.

Many students are taking advantage of the strong partnership between the Institute of Technology Brunei, and the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia. UNSW is located in Sydney’s eastern suburbs is a destination of choice for international students, looking to combine a top quality education with unique lifestyle advantages.

UNSW’s Engineering Faculty enjoys a top ranking within Australia, and the School of Petroleum Engineering at UNSW is the most established centre in the southern hemisphere for teaching and excellence in the petroleum engineering field.

The UNSW Bachelor of Engineering (Petroleum Engineering) degree is internationally recognised and enjoys strong support from the global petroleum industry. In fact, the key to the UNSW School of Petroleum Engineering’s ongoing success is its close industry links, which ensure that the activities of the school and the outcomes for graduates conform to industry needs.

UNSW is one of the top-performing Australian universities, and offers a vibrant campus life. Over 120 countries are represented amongst the student body, with one in every four students from overseas. Currently, there are 43 students studying at UNSW from Brunei, and thirty-six of these students hold sponsorships from Brunei Shell Petroleum and the Brunei Ministry of Education.

Nadiah Haji Mohd Ya’ani, 20, and Azimah Jofri, 20, are both second year UNSW petroleum engineering students, sponsored by Brunei Shell Petroleum. Sponsorships are offered based on student’s academic qualifications, as well as additional criteria. “Receiving the scholarship is an excellent opportunity”, says Nadiah.

Students begin first year studies at the Institute of Technology, Brunei (ITB). The first year focuses not only on strengthening students’ fundamental knowledge in science, engineering and geology, but also serves as an introduction to the industry. Students are thus well equipped prior to joining UNSW in their second year.

Arriving at UNSW can be somewhat of a rollercoaster ride for students. Many students are excited to be a part of their new surroundings, however for many; it is their first experience living away from home. Azimah says, “I am very family oriented – I was very homesick in the beginning”.

Many UNSW schools, including the School of Petroleum Engineering, offer mentoring and peer support schemes within the school, which help students with their mental and psychological well being. Azimah and Naidah are guided by Dr Yildiray Cinar, Senior Lecturer in Petroleum Engineering.

Additional support is offered through UNSW Student Development International (SDI). SDI assists international students with a range of services, from airport pick up to assistance with locating housing. Azimah found that in once she started asking for assistance, she found that her fellow students, faculty members and lecturers were “very friendly and very helpful”.

Shell-sponsored student, Ak Muhd Amal Nur Qasman Metussin, 22, was part of the first group of ITB Petroleum Engineering students to join the ranks at UNSW, and is currently in his fourth year. Qasman joined a number of sporting societies during his first year at UNSW, playing badminton and soccer, and made many new friends.

Qasman has also had the advantage of living on campus at UNSW, which has widened his circle of friends. He currently lives in the recently completed UNSW Village with six other students, mostly fellow compatriots from Brunei. In addition to the convenience of living on campus and the proximity to his classes, Qasman also enjoys the “good facilities [including] study rooms, fast internet connection – and it’s all new”.

There are plenty of facilities for students at UNSW. Naidah says, “For me, everything is here. Even if I’m not on campus, everything is online”. Naidah is referring to the My UNSW portal, where students can access their notes, assignments and even interact with other students. In fact, the format of some courses is designed to allow students to complete them online.

The extended opening hours of UNSW’s world class library are a definite advantage for Azimah, as studying without the distractions of home allows her more concentration. Azimah lives with Naidah and another fellow sponsored student, Adrian Wu Pin Boon, in Randwick, just five minutes from the university. Both Azimah and Naidah enjoy the convenience of living in Randwick. Azimah says, “It’s a good place to stay. It’s safe and it’s quiet”. The group also lives just five minutes away from neighbouring beachside suburb, Coogee, and like to visit the beach when they are not busy studying.

Yusri Efandi Ibrahim, 23, lives in the suburb of Kingsford with other students. He says living in an area as diverse as Kingsford has definite advantages, one of which is the availability of good quality, Halal food in the area. “I wasn’t expecting to find that in Sydney!” Yusri says.

In addition to the lifestyle advantages that Sydney has to offer, the future career prospects offered to graduates of the petroleum engineering program at UNSW are truly unique.

Yusni began his career in Bruneian bank before assessing the economy and deciding to study petroleum engineering. He says the excellent career opportunities available to him were the main factor behind his decision to undertake a petroleum engineering degree.

UNSW ensures that their students undertake economics, business and management subjects, on top of their in-depth petroleum engineering subjects, to equip them for their future careers, and it is common for graduates to progress quickly through the company ranks.

Furthermore, UNSW alumni enjoy challenging and successful careers around the globe. Petroleum engineering graduates command excellent starting salaries between A$60,000 and $A110,000, well above the average graduate salary.

With so many opportunities awaiting hard-working UNSW graduates, Naidah offers some sage advice: “Always remember what your priorities are, study hard, but once in a while, remember to do something fun for you”.

For further information about the University of New South Wales contact: T. +61 2 9385 6996 E. internationaloffice@unsw.edu.au W. www.international.unsw.edu.au

For further information about Engineering at UNSW contact: T. +61 2 9385 0684 E. eng.faculty@unsw.edu.au W. www.eng.unsw.edu.au