The young Saudis were especially invited to the event by exhibition organizers to fuel their interest in the various aspects of the oil and gas industry.

“They are the future of Saudi Arabia and we want them to know more about the latest technology that is being used in the industry. We want them to network with executives who may stand them in good stead in their later lives, especially when they enter the job market,” said International Exhibition Services Project Manager Sarah Ashmore.

Ali A. Al-Shafai, a KFUPM graduate in petroleum engineering who coordinated the visit, agreed with Ashmore.

“Such exhibitions offer the young graduates a rare opportunity to learn where the industry is heading,” he told Arab News. “What is even more significant is that this exhibition is taking place here in our city. Which means we could come here easily. If this exhibition were happening in another city or another country we would not have been able to make the most of it.”

The students took a keen interest in the technology that was on offer at various stands put up by some of the most important and prestigious oil and gas companies from Saudi Arabia and around the world. They asked all the relevant questions and seemed very interested in the answers.

Al-Shafai welcomed the idea of involving young Saudis in such exhibitions.

“This is kind of an incentive for them. They also get to know about the training programs of various companies. What I have noticed is that companies are interested in hiring Saudis, but there are not many of them around,” he said.

According to him, the department of petroleum engineering is one of the smallest at KFUPM. “There is a need to create awareness among the youngsters that graduating in this particular field will propel them into a fast track career. There are a whole lot of companies that are entering Saudi Arabia and making huge investments. They need young and dynamic Saudi petroleum engineers.”

The KFUPM group included Bader Al-Sayegh, Muhammad Yousuf Al-Jabbar, Essam Adel Al-Ghumgham, Faisal Fahd Al-Muhaish, Ammar Al-Ramadhan, Yousef Bin-Ammar and Mortadha Ali Al-Rufaie.

Ashmore said this was the second time that the industry-meets-university initiative was given such prominence. “SAOGE will continue to support the Kingdom’s Saudization program by providing selected students with the opportunity to meet key industry representatives from both the region as well as international oil and gas companies.”