Gift-in-kind puts industry leading technology in students’ hands
By Mark Campbell
Earth Sciences student Natasha Morrison couldn’t complete her Master’s research project without a gift-in-kind of software licenses from Cegal Geoscience Inc.
A competitive advantage
Not only is she able to conduct meaningful research, she’s also gaining a competitive advantage using the industry’s leading exploration and production technology.
“In today’s workforce with so much competition, real-world learning is crucial for students’ development,” says Morrison.
The gift gives Earth Sciences students like Morrison access to plugins, essentially software program enhancements, which greatly improve the research they are conducting. These plugins enable students to improve their analysis and interpretation of the seismic and well data of geology for Nova Scotia’s offshore region.
Making the case
Students were the catalyst for the gift, reaching out to Blueback Reservoir for help with data interpretation challenges they were experiencing. The company has since merged with Cegal.
“They wanted to see if we had tools that made it easier for them to do the work they were doing,” says Neil McKone, Canada Manager/account manager, Cegal.
“I was very impressed with their enthusiasm and tenacity, and we quickly came to the conclusion that our plugins would benefit them, so we made it happen.”
Enhancing student skills
Earth Sciences Professor Grant Wach, director of the Dalhousie University Basin and Reservoir lab, says donations like this are vital for both the University and students.
“It gives us access to the best information and tools available, significantly enhancing our students’ academic experience, not to mention their skill sets and knowledge for future careers in industry and academia,” says Wach.
“I’m grateful companies like Cegal value our students, and I am impressed that our students take the initiative and find opportunities like this. It demonstrates how well versed they are in technology, geologic training and the industry.”
An expanding gift
The original gift was five software licenses, which has since been upgraded to 10, and McKone says it is possible that it could expand further.
“Students tend to be early adopters, so providing access to our plugins is beneficial for the future growth of our industry. But our primary goal is that, through exposure to these tools, they gain experience that will give them a boost on their career paths.”