Tag: Uganda

INSTEP Strengthens Uganda’s Energy Workforce ahead of Nation’s First Oil

Posted on by Ainul Nabilah M Asri

A total of 57 participants from the Tilenga Academy (TEPU) Traineeship Cohort 2/2025 were recognised at a closing ceremony marking the successful completion of a 4-month intensive training programme at Institut Teknologi Petroleum PETRONAS (INSTEP). 

This milestone follows the successful completion of 68 participants from the first cohort in August last year, as well as five engineers from the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), reinforcing INSTEP’s continued role in developing skilled talent for Uganda’s expanding oil and gas sector.

The event was graced by the presence of Her Excellency Dr. Betty Bigombe, High Commissioner of Uganda to Malaysia, and Mr. Lamin Sabally, Operation Director, TotalEnergies E&P Uganda.

Ts. Azhar B. Ahmad, INSTEP Chief Executive Officer delivered his remarks.
Mr. Lamin Sabally, Operation Director, TotalEnergies E&P Uganda delivered his remarks during the event.
Her Excellency Dr. Betty Bigombe, High Commissioner of Uganda to Malaysia, delivered her remarks during the event.

The participants underwent the Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation (OPITO) Global Level 2 Certificate Programme, a comprehensive international certification spanning in 4 months. The programme integrates health, safety and environment (HSE) principles with industry working practices, simulated skills training, and hands-on plant experiential learning at INSTEP’s Upstream Downstream Training Plant (UDTP).

Designed to meet industry demands, the programme covers four key trades which are, Operations, Mechanical, Electrical, and Instrument & Control, while embedding HSE elements throughout the learning journey.

Certificate giving to all participants.

Upon completion, participants are expected to return to Uganda equipped with enhanced technical competencies, ready to contribute to national development and support the growth of the local oil and gas industry in pursuit of long-term economic prosperity.

“This shared vision highlights our commitment to inclusive and sustainable technical development. Our offerings are rooted in the success of our clients, prioritising resilience and sustainability,” said Ts. Azhar B. Ahmad, INSTEP Chief Executive Officer.

A total of 57 participants from the Tilenga Academy (TEPU) Traineeship Cohort 2/2025 were recognised at a closing ceremony marking the successful completion of a 4-month intensive training programme at Institut Teknologi Petroleum PETRONAS (INSTEP). 

This milestone follows the successful completion of 68 participants from the first cohort in August last year, as well as five engineers from the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), reinforcing INSTEP’s continued role in developing skilled talent for Uganda’s expanding oil and gas sector.

The event was graced by the presence of Her Excellency Dr. Betty Bigombe, High Commissioner of Uganda to Malaysia, and Mr. Lamin Sabally, Operation Director, TotalEnergies E&P Uganda.

Ts. Azhar B. Ahmad, INSTEP Chief Executive Officer delivered his remarks.
Mr. Lamin Sabally, Operation Director, TotalEnergies E&P Uganda delivered his remarks during the event.
Her Excellency Dr. Betty Bigombe, High Commissioner of Uganda to Malaysia, delivered her remarks during the event.

The participants underwent the Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation (OPITO) Global Level 2 Certificate Programme, a comprehensive international certification spanning in 4 months. The programme integrates health, safety and environment (HSE) principles with industry working practices, simulated skills training, and hands-on plant experiential learning at INSTEP’s Upstream Downstream Training Plant (UDTP).

Designed to meet industry demands, the programme covers four key trades which are, Operations, Mechanical, Electrical, and Instrument & Control, while embedding HSE elements throughout the learning journey.

Certificate giving to all participants.

Upon completion, participants are expected to return to Uganda equipped with enhanced technical competencies, ready to contribute to national development and support the growth of the local oil and gas industry in pursuit of long-term economic prosperity.

“This shared vision highlights our commitment to inclusive and sustainable technical development. Our offerings are rooted in the success of our clients, prioritising resilience and sustainability,” said Ts. Azhar B. Ahmad, INSTEP Chief Executive Officer.

Five Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) Engineers Completed 3-month Programme in INSTEP

Posted on by syahirahsyamimi.mabd@petronas.com

INSTEP recently celebrated the achievement of five engineers from Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) who successfully completed a 3-month Customised Programme for Refinery Operation Engineers at INSTEP, Batu Rakit. The Closing Ceremony took place at Mercure Living Putrajaya on 7 August 2025. 

The certificate giving session during the ceremony.

The programme was designed to equip participants with comprehensive technical knowledge and skills in plant operation and maintenance of oil and gas facilities, aligning with industry requirements and adhering to relevant standards and regulations.

In addition to classroom-based theoretical lessons, the engineers gained hands-on experience at the Upstream Downstream Training Plant (UDTP). Their learning journey was further enriched through a two-week On-the-Job Attachment at Malaysian Refinery Company Sdn. Bhd. (MRCSB), providing them with direct exposure to real refinery operations. 

The engineers upon completion of OJT Attachement at MRSCB.

“This programme signifies our commitment to supporting the energy workforce on a global scale through strategic collaboration with UNOC, ensuring operational readiness of Uganda’s energy infrastructure. We hope these engineers have gained the knowledge and experience needed to drive Uganda’s journey towards industrial maturity,” said En. Azhar b. Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer of INSTEP. 

INSTEP recently celebrated the achievement of five engineers from Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) who successfully completed a 3-month Customised Programme for Refinery Operation Engineers at INSTEP, Batu Rakit. The Closing Ceremony took place at Mercure Living Putrajaya on 7 August 2025. 

The certificate giving session during the ceremony.

The programme was designed to equip participants with comprehensive technical knowledge and skills in plant operation and maintenance of oil and gas facilities, aligning with industry requirements and adhering to relevant standards and regulations.

In addition to classroom-based theoretical lessons, the engineers gained hands-on experience at the Upstream Downstream Training Plant (UDTP). Their learning journey was further enriched through a two-week On-the-Job Attachment at Malaysian Refinery Company Sdn. Bhd. (MRCSB), providing them with direct exposure to real refinery operations. 

The engineers upon completion of OJT Attachement at MRSCB.

“This programme signifies our commitment to supporting the energy workforce on a global scale through strategic collaboration with UNOC, ensuring operational readiness of Uganda’s energy infrastructure. We hope these engineers have gained the knowledge and experience needed to drive Uganda’s journey towards industrial maturity,” said En. Azhar b. Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer of INSTEP. 

INSTEP Celebrates 68 Trainees Completing OPITO Global 2 Programme Sponsored by TotalEnergies E&P Uganda

Posted on by syahirahsyamimi.mabd@petronas.com

On 6 August 2025, INSTEP held a Closing Ceremony to celebrate 68 trainees from Tilenga Academy under the sponsorship of TotalEnergies E&P Uganda (TEP Uganda) upon completing the 4.5-month OPITO Global 2 Training Certificate Practical Assessment and Customised Training Programme at INSTEP, Batu Rakit. 

The training certificate is designed to upskill learners seeking to develop expertise in one or more processing operations. The programme integrates HSE and working practices with hands-on skill application and plant experiential learning at the Upstream Downstream Training Plant (UDTP), INSTEP. Trades offered under this programme include Upstream/Processing Operations, Mechanical, Electrical, and Instrument & Control. 

Happy faces of the trainees during the event.

As part of the Tilenga Academy TEPU Traineeship Cohort 1/2025, graduates of this programme are expected to serve in the Tilenga project, including drilling 400 wells and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), which spans almost 1,400 km of underground pipeline for oil transportation. 

“INSTEP is honoured to host the 68 trainees throughout this programme, in line with our mission to enrich business partners through competency development. This aligns with TotalEnergies E&P Uganda’s mission to be a key player in Uganda’s energy development and to contribute to the country’s economic growth,” commented En. Azhar b. Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer of INSTEP. 

On 6 August 2025, INSTEP held a Closing Ceremony to celebrate 68 trainees from Tilenga Academy under the sponsorship of TotalEnergies E&P Uganda (TEP Uganda) upon completing the 4.5-month OPITO Global 2 Training Certificate Practical Assessment and Customised Training Programme at INSTEP, Batu Rakit. 

The training certificate is designed to upskill learners seeking to develop expertise in one or more processing operations. The programme integrates HSE and working practices with hands-on skill application and plant experiential learning at the Upstream Downstream Training Plant (UDTP), INSTEP. Trades offered under this programme include Upstream/Processing Operations, Mechanical, Electrical, and Instrument & Control. 

Happy faces of the trainees during the event.

As part of the Tilenga Academy TEPU Traineeship Cohort 1/2025, graduates of this programme are expected to serve in the Tilenga project, including drilling 400 wells and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), which spans almost 1,400 km of underground pipeline for oil transportation. 

“INSTEP is honoured to host the 68 trainees throughout this programme, in line with our mission to enrich business partners through competency development. This aligns with TotalEnergies E&P Uganda’s mission to be a key player in Uganda’s energy development and to contribute to the country’s economic growth,” commented En. Azhar b. Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer of INSTEP.