NSU receives nearly $100,000 for petro education

Nicholls State University’s petroleum services students will soon have use of an AADE Computer Simulation and Distance Learning Center. The addition was made possible with $80,000 given to the university by the American Association of Drilling Engineers.

According to Dr. Badiollah Asrabadi, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and distinguished service professor of mathematics, the center will have 32 new computers, industry simulation software and streaming video capabilities for distance learning.

“We expect that this donation will greatly improve the quality of education, increase students’ access to state of the art technology and help meet the non-traditional working students’ scheduling needs,” Asrabadi said.

Bob Freeman, executive director of the AADE national board, and Johnson “Bubba” Hale, AADE director emeritus and chair of the Industry Advisory Council to Nicholls’ petroleum services program, presented the check on behalf of the New Orleans, Lafayette and national chapters of AADE.

“We’ve provided these funds because the petroleum services industry is in desperate need of qualified personnel,” Hale said.

Founded in 1973, Nicholls’ petroleum services program allows offshore employees to continue working a seven-on/seven-off shift schedule while earning degrees as full or part-time students.

As opposed to traditional technology programs, Nicholls’ curriculum prepares students for the operations segment of the industry rather than engineering aid positions.

The majority of petroleum services students leave the program with significant promotions and increased job opportunities.

“I would like to thank Mr. Freeman and Mr. Hale for their valuable leadership and guidance, as well as all petroleum services faculty members who have worked very hard to improve the quality of education in our program,” Asrabadi said.

The American Association of Drilling Engineers presented Nicholls State’s petroleum services $80,000 in late May. * Photo courtesy of NSU/DOUG KEESE