Geophysics Student Stands Out at Leeds

LEEDS, U.K, November 11, 2009--With a couple of patents and books under review, numerous awards and involvement in professional societies, Exploration and Producing College Degree Program for Non-Employees (CDPNE) student Badr Al-Rumaih strives to represent Saudi Aramco and Saudi Arabia in an international setting

Al-Rumaih studies geophysics at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. “As a geophysics student, I am driven by the mystery of what lies beneath the surface. It’s challenging to create a sense of direction out of limited knowledge. I also think this is one way to contribute to the prosperity of future generations through adding new oil reserves.”

His social conscience also steers him to take action to bridge cultural gaps, promote East-West collaboration on campus and counter negative stereotypes some people have about the oil and gas industry.

Among other things, he established The Greener Oil Society and The Saudi Innovation Conference at Leeds University. Jumping through all the hoops required to associate with ambassadors, princes, lords and CEOs, Al-Rumaih managed to increase the Saudi Innovation Conference’s budget by $53,000 while attracting 1,000-plus attendees.

During his second year at Leeds, he proposed a new program designed for Saudi Aramco students called the Four-Year Combined Geology/Geophysics Program. He was the only student appointed by the Leeds’ director for Earth School to help establish the new program.

As often as possible, he attends extracurricular academic programs in business at Oxford and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) toward what he calls the “never-ending process of learning.” He recently devoted some of his spare time at MIT’s Sloan School of Management and earned the MIT Executive Certificate in Management and Leadership.

At MIT, he teamed with his professors to develop a new management organization model called the Triple-Ladder System for managerial consultants to address limitations in the existing Dual-Ladder System of professional and managerial tracks.

Upon arrival in the U.K., Al-Rumaih lived with an English family in the small village of Kidlington near Oxford. He said, “Living with the family helped me think, plan, work and even communicate better.” He lives in Leeds, which he describes as “a multicultural society of immeasurable opportunities.”

Al-Khayyal next held discussions with Sha Hailin, the chairman of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, the government authority in charge of economic activity, trading and foreign investments in the city of nearly 20 million people.

Al-Rumaih expressed his gratitude to the country and company that have given him so much. He describes Saudi Aramco as “the company where I was born and raised, and which currently sponsors me.”

After graduation in 2010, he is determined to contribute throughout his career as a geophysicist … and wherever else his path may lead.