Saudi Aramco hosts a European Academic visit to the Kingdom
Students and faculty members from Imperial College London embarked on a trip to Saudi Arabia in May, Sponsored by Saudi Aramco. The visit was the first of in kind in Europe, with similar journeys previously undertaken by students from Harvard and MIT. Visiting Dhahran, Al-Hasa city, Riyadh and Jeddah, the group explored the unique beauty and culture of Saudi Arabia
The trip fostered once-in-a-lifetime experiences for many,” This is the first time I have ever ridden a camel. I will never forget it!” said Potcharaporn Pongthunya a PHD student in Petroleum Engineering.
Meetings and presentations aside, it was these cultural experiences the students and academics had hoped to witness, and according to Jerry Heng, senior lecturer at Imperial College, “we got more than we could have ever imagined”.
“Traveling from Al-Hasa to Riyadh was a completely new experience. It was really great to drive through such a vast land, it gave us a deeper understanding of the Kingdom.” said Jens Schrekenberg, a PhD student studying chemical engineering. Upon arrival in the Kingdom’s capital, “Riyadh’s hustle and bustle was a dramatic change to laid back Al- Hasa”, he added,
Lorraine Sobers, a doctoral student in oil recovery and carbon dioxide sequestration said the visits to the museums and historical sites “helped put the present day Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into context”.
However it was in Jeddah, the candidates witnessed first-hand the transformation within Saudi society. “The trip has certainly set right some preconceptions which are readily promoted by the media. Indeed there were many very powerful, influential and well-educated women we met with who held a high degree of self esteem and ambitious plans for their futures [and the country’s],” said Dr. Klaus Hellgardt, a senior lecturer for Chemical Engineering at Imperial College.
The group’s expectations, more importantly, were duly challenged. “I discovered the Saudis have no negative feelings towards westerners and foreigners in general,” Said Christian Moebius, a Masters student studying petroleum geoscience. “I was surprised by the amount of English literacy and openness towards westerners and the fact that this has not compromised the pride every Saudi takes in his or her own nationality,” he added.
Dr. Hellgardt noted that the Saudi culture was changing and adapting to the various challenges of the 21st century. “Let’s hope that, despite these challenges, the cultural richness of its language, traditions and philosophy will not be replaced by the fast paced anonymity of the West but will arrive at a consensus that incorporates the best of both worlds,” he said.
At the trip’s conclusion, it was clear the Saudi hospitality had definitely left a mark on its visitors. “I have experienced the warmth and generosity of the Saudi people – at every stage of the trip, and this will last forever in my memory”, said Jerry Heng.