I've recently been added to a group of esteemed #PUT alumni to commemorate the 85th anniversary of Petroleum University of Technology. It's heartwarming to witness the reunion of alumni who have dispersed across the globe, many of whom now hold pivotal roles in prominent oil companies around the globe. Yet, amidst the nostalgia and pride, I hold an unpopular perspective.
The lack of clarity regarding the motives behind this group and their gathering of information has left me feeling skeptical from the outset. Are they truly aiming to celebrate us as alumni, or could there be ulterior motives at play, such as leveraging our influence to negotiate for additional funding and resources, effectively exploiting the university once again? Without a clear understanding of the group's intentions and the purpose behind their actions, it's difficult to fully trust their motives. The skepticism I feel stems from past experiences where we, as alumni, were seemingly betrayed or let down. It's challenging to place trust in this group again, especially considering the history of being let down or taken advantage of in the past. The wounds of past betrayals make it difficult to extend trust without concrete evidence of good intentions and genuine commitment to the alumni community and the university as a whole.
It pains me to acknowledge the University's failure in safeguarding its graduates and providing them with faculty equipped with the latest knowledge.
On top of that, when the Ministry of Petroleum bailed on our bursary and refused to hire us, our teachers abandoned us, refusing to stand alongside their students. It's no wonder that they too became targets later on, losing their positions and the benefits of being hires of the petroleum ministry.
However, for some of them, even this served as an opportunity to prolong their stay at the university and milk the system for another couple of years. This abandonment by both the ministry and the professors further exacerbated the challenges faced by graduates of the university, leaving them adrift without the support and guidance they desperately needed. While I cherish the friendships and knowledge cultivated during my time there, I'm disheartened to admit that there's little left to celebrate at the institution. #PUTalumni #PetroleumUniversityofTechnology
Mining Executive | Board Director | FAusIMM, GAICD | 25+ Years in Mining | Strategic & Technical Leadership | Closure & Governance Expert | Champion of Sustainable Practices & Diversity in the Resources Sector
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