The Institute for Natural Resources and Engineering Studies (NATIN) commenced three new practice rooms (labs) on Wednesday 1 November 2023. These rooms and associated equipment are donated by ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, APA Suriname and TotalEnergies, international oil companies with activities in offshore Suriname.
The new rooms will be used for practical lessons in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and process engineering. The old labs were no longer suitable physically and in terms of furnishings, but were nevertheless still used. The new labs, including sanitary facilities, are newly built and equipped with new and modern equipment and furniture. With their donation, Shell, APA Suriname, TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil and Chevron – Staatsolie's offshore partners – contribute to the vocational technical training of young people who can in turn contribute to the development of themselves and the country.
The practice rooms have been sponsored for a total of US$ 270,000 by ExxonMobil (US$ 170,000) and Chevron (US$ 100,000). The equipment was funded by APA, Shell and TotalEnergies, approximately US$ 150,000.
The new labs are part of the NATIN Upgrade Project. Staatsolie took the initiative for this project in 2021 from the perspective of local content development. This project looks at all aspects that must guarantee good education, such as good buildings, sufficient equipment and materials for practical lessons, up-to-date curriculum and teaching materials, and well-trained teachers. The oil and gas training course, which started in October 2022, is also part of the NATIN Upgrade Project. This project has the full support of NATIN, the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, international oil companies, local companies and international experts. In 2022 alone, US$ 800,000 has been spent on the entire project by international oil companies and Staatsolie, of which US$250,000 by Staatsolie. Staatsolie is responsible for project management.
The renovation of the NATIN and the primary Technical School 2 building are on the program for next year.
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