As part of ongoing efforts to enhance academic and professional engagement with the oil industry sector, the University of Baghdad – Society of Petroleum Engineers Student Chapter (UOB–SPE) participated in the workshop and professional forum entitled “Petroleum Engineering Insights and Career Path Prospects,” hosted by Al-Farabi University in Baghdad, with broad participation from leaders and experts of international and local oil companies, as well as academics and specialists.
The UOB–SPE Chapter was represented by Professor Dr. Faleh Hassan Mohammed, Assistant Dean of the College of Engineering for Administrative Affairs; Assistant Professor Dr. Nagham Jassim Fayyad, SPE Chapter Advisor; and Assistant Professor Dr. Dalia Abdulhadi, Head of the Petroleum Engineering Department.
The event was held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, and featured a panel discussion addressing the current state of the petroleum engineering job market in Iraq and the challenges facing graduates. It also explored the sector’s future prospects, emphasizing the importance of building effective partnerships between universities and oil companies to support students’ career paths and align educational outcomes with labor market needs.
The forum included a keynote speech delivered by the 2026 President of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Dr. Olivier Houzé, who provided a strategic outlook on the future of petroleum engineering. He highlighted the major transformations shaping the sector and outlined the requirements of the upcoming phase in light of global technological and economic developments.
The event concluded with an emphasis on the importance of continuing such scientific and professional activities, as they serve as interactive platforms that broaden students’ perspectives, enhance their readiness for the job market, and open direct channels of communication with oil industry institutions.
