�Oil Industry Needs Disaster Mgt Training�

Dr. Julia Meaton, Head of Department, MSC Risk Disaster and Environmental Management at the University of Huddersfield UK, has emphasized the need to train employees on disaster management in the oil industry. She said in order to sustain the prospects of the oil discovery, Ghana must learn from other oil-producing countries in order to train people to manage any disaster that might crop up. She said the country has a lot of potentials for all kinds of businesses, especially in the new oil sector, adding, �It will be important to your growth.� Dr. Meaton disclosed this at an educational meeting organised by the University of Huddersfield in Accra to counsel, interview and assess the academic qualifications of Ghanaian students for possible admission. The two-day meeting is aimed at offering on the spot admissions to eligible Ghanaian students who want to study in the UK. Dr. Meaton said the university is in the country to raise its profile since it is not popular in Ghana like other UK-based universities. �We have been coming here for three years now and it has been a development area for us,� she said. She invited government department, businesses and educational organizations to collaborate with the university to train and offer programmes for staff. Elena Nikoulina of the International office stated that international students are attracted by the university�s academic reputation, high quality courses and innovative research opportunity, all with strong links to international commerce and industry. �They become part of our diverse population of 24,000 students, studying for more than 400 undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.� She said 60 qualified students from commonwealth countries will also be given scholarships worth 61,000 pounds. The university will also offer 100 per cent sponsorship to one lucky Ghanaian postgraduate student as part of its commitment to helping students from West Africa achieve their aims. The package comes with a 4000 pound grant to cover other expenses.