JEDDAH, 24 April 2006 — Schlumberger, a leading oilfield services company, and Aramco Gulf Operations Company (AGOC), have officially opened a computer lab and launched the SEED program in the oldest high school in Al-Khafji.
SEED — Schlumberger Excellence in Educational Development — is a global Schlumberger community initiative which enables volunteer Schlumberger staff to share their knowledge and passion for science and technology with students.
Khaled Nouh, vice president and general manager, Schlumberger, Middle East, said the center, located within the Al-Khafji Boys High School, is an e-learning facility, which will enable as many as 500 Al-Khafji students who are working on science projects to tap into the expertise of 270 leading Schlumberger scientists around the world.
He said students would also be able to use the lab to share experiences and collaborate with the other 160,000 students who use similar Schlumberger’s SEED school science centers in 31 other countries around the world.
The computer lab and SEED program are equipped with first class facilities including Internet links, which connect those who use the lab for research projects, to a wide range of Schlumberger volunteers through the world, he said.
He said Al-Khafji High School, one of the oldest in the Kingdom, was selected because of its academic record, location and facilities.
Programs such as SEED, he said, can help train future generations of Saudi scientists who will lead in the development of the oil and gas industries that drive Middle East economies.
Abdul Aziz Al-Judaimi, president and CEO, AGOC, said that Aramco was committed to bringing educational excellence to the community. “We are proud to be able to work on the design of this educational facility. We believe in citizenship and look for ways to support our communities and serve as role models for others. This joint venture with Schlumberger has allowed us to put our mission into action.”
