2015 Offshore Technology Conference
Every year since 2008 the PTI is engaging academia experts and students to manage the booth and arrange for special events at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) to highlight the University of Houston Technology Division at the Cullen College of Engineering and its energy related programs.
The 2015 OTC took place on May 4-7, 2015 at Reliant Center in Houston, and it was again a not to be missed oil and gas industry event attended by 90,000+ energy industry professionals.
This year besides the PTI programs at our booth we introduced UH Energy, Ocean Energy Safety Institute (OESI), Technology Division at the Cullen College of Engineering, Cullen College of Engineering, C. T. Bauer College of Business, and UH Law Center.
The best industry related COT students’ projects - models and posters - were displayed at the PTI OTC booth! More than 300 industry professionals stopped to ask students - volunteers and professors their questions about UH and its programs, R&D activities, and displayed students’ projects – models and posters. More than 20 company representatives expressed interest in our student senior design projects and offered different ways of supporting them. About 40 visitors are interested in PTI activities, and would like to cooperate with us to ensure active engagement between industry professionals and students in various PTI programs.
During the last day of the OTC G. Sheridan, PTI Deputy Director, gave 9 presentations to groups of high school kids interested in the University of Houston.
If you are a Student, consider next year 2016 to volunteer, learn about the industry, network with oil and gas industry professionals, and /or demonstrate your accomplishments - your project model and/or poster.
Here is what our Students - Research Assistants have to say:
"I am always looking for ways to stay connected with my industry while I’m away from it finishing up my undergraduate degree. The Offshore Technology Conference is one of those events where you can’t get a better experience to do so. This four-day event encompasses all the latest-and-greatest equipment and technology the petroleum industry has to offer.
While working at the UH PTI booth, I had the chance to represent the University of Houston and our Petroleum Technology Program. We showcased several of our Technology Division at the Cullen College of Engineering's senior design projects. Being a senior about to graduate, I do not think there is a better place where I would want to have my capabilities exhibited.
Another spectacular thing I was able to accomplish with attending OTC was networking. This helped me refine my communication skills and allowed for me to become more comfortable while meeting and talking to industry professionals. With attendees from 130 countries representing many global companies, I felt I gained a lot of experience as you can imagine. I left the venue with a feeling that I could approach anyone from industry and be competent discussing my education, interests and future career."
- Christian K.
"Last year I was volunteering for PTI during the OTC. At our booth we displayed student hand-built scooter, ROV model, and more than ten posters on student projects. The projects working models and posters attracted a lot of attention from the industry professionals. They asked many questions and sometimes offered help such as sponsorship, providing parts and materials, mentoring the project team, and/or professional expertise. I personally spoke with several people who offered their company support and /or described their company need to build and test some model and requested help from students.
I think students who are about to take Senior Design 1 in the fall, or students taking Senior Design 1 now, during Spring Semester, would benefit the most from volunteering with PTI at the OTC. You may get lucky and find some support, and maybe your future career."
- John H.
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