Why Millennials Hate The Petroleum Industry, Oil & Gas Leaders magazine, June 2019

JUNE 2019

NEWS

UAE Nationals start training with Schlumberger as ADNOC continues to Develop World Class Workforce

PTT – KSS signed contract for The Fifth Transmission Pipeline Project Phase 2

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SK E&P America, Inc., Executes Definitive Agreement to Acquire Membership Interests of Longfellow Nemaha, LLC

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EDITOR‘S NOTE

T

he oil and gas industry are global giants who use fossil fuels from deep beneath the earth to create energy. While this is the societal norm right now, the processes of creating energy this way is costing us the quality of planet Earth.

Currently, this industry is facing its own problem in that members of the younger generation no longer see themselves working for this industry.

The older executives of various industries and millennials are vastly different—while the former believes that the money earned is the primary concern for all job hunters, millennials want to affiliate themselves in a work environment that does not compromise the planet and the environment in any way. Millennials also want to leave a world-changing mark upon humanity and uphold the tenants of sustainability. That is why, despite the big salaries that come with working in oil and gas, millennials are turning away from these corporations.

In fact, the oil and gas industry is so unappealing to millennials that they have not stopped in simply ignoring the industry. In addition to dropping the industry as a viable career path, many millennials are also going to great lengths to discredit the 4

Like Oil and Water: The Oil Industry and Millennials Why the oil industry isn’t a slick career path for millennials

industry because, as stated above, it is ruinous to the environment.

What must be done by the oil and gas industry if they want to reel in more job hunters and millennials, a major overhaul of their industry and brand, as well as internal audit of their own products and services but be done. Should the oil and gas industry step up their strategies and communicate a message that will resonate well with our target market, there will still be a chance for job-hunting millennials to seek out a career in this industry.

Regional Office: LG Electronics Gulf FZE, P.O Box 61445, Dubai. Tel: +971 4 279 9222, UAE, Mr. Amjad Abu Alika, Tel: +971 50 450 9808, email: amjad.abualika@lge.com; Fortune International Trading LLC, Mr. Wail Halbouni, Tel: +971 50 481 3570, email: fortintl@emirates.net.ae; Ghantoot Trading, Mr. Nour Haboush, Tel: +971 50 109 4109, email: nour.h@ghantootgroup.ae; District Cooling Company, Mr. Ahmed Henedi, Tel: +971 50 658 4832, email: ahmed@districtcoolingcompany.com; Al Yousuf Electronics, Mr. Moitra, Tel: +971 50 457 6170, email: pmoitra@alyousuf.com; Bahrain, AJM Kooheji and Sons, Mr. Jayachandran, Tel: +973 36888801, email: v.jayachandran@ajmkooheji.com: Al Babtain Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Co., Mr. Naji Kataya, Tel: +965 5 051 5771, email: nkataya@albabtaingroup.com,kw; BLK, Mr. Imad Rhayel, Tel: +965 5 157 1229, email: irhayel@blk.com.kw; Oman, Oman Gulf Enterprise, Mr. Narender Kumar, Tel: +968 9 747 4505, email: narenderk@otegroup.com; Aspire Projects and Service, Mr. Vivek Wagh, Tel: +968 99357694, email: vivekwagh@aspireoman.com; Azerbaijan, NBC LLC., Mr. Elkhan Sadikhov, Tel: +994 50 216 3363, email: elkhan.sadikhov@nbc.com; Al-Con Maxiwell Group, Mr. Vagif Alexperov, Tel: + 994 50 216 2092, email: maxiwellbaku@inbox.ru; Armenia/Georgia, ARAY Gulf, Mr. Vilson Melikjanyan, Tel: +374 9 307 7755, email: vilson@aray.am; Yemen, Modern House Exhibition, Mr. Khaled Jabr, Tel: +967 71 172 0202, email: mail@mhe-yemen.com; Pakistan, Iceberg Industries (Lucky Goldstar), Mr. Imran Jamil Khan, Tel: +923 21 277 6100, email: ceo@icebergindustries.net

CON TENTS

NEWS

14 Like Oil and Water : The Oil Industry and Millennials

30 UAE Nationals start training with Schlumberger as ADNOC continues to Develop World Class Workforce

34 PTT – KSS signed contract for The Fifth Transmission Pipeline Project Phase 2

36 SK E&P America, Inc., Executes Definitive Agreement to Acquire Membership Interests of Longfellow Nemaha, LLC

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F E AT U R E S T O RY

40 Why undertaking an MBA at American University of Sharjah could be the best decision you make for your engineering career

44 Oscillating Axle is a Valuable Feature on Rough Terrain

48 How to Conduct an Open House Day for Access Platforms Clients? Manlift Group Marketing Tips

52 A President and Civil Engineering Board Exam Topnotcher

58 Senior Citizen Engineer?

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S P E C IA L F E AT U R E

This Might Be the Best Wall Mounted Aircon in the Philippines With the growing range of choices for split-type aircon in the market, here are a few justifiable reasons why this might be the best split type aircon yet.

B

uying an air conditioning unit can be a very confusing task.

Considering the handful of types and sizes of aircon available in the market, choosing which one is the most appropriate for your homes and establishments can be quite puzzling. Honestly, there are quite a few factors to keep in mind before purchasing an aircon, so to make the decision more of an ease and less of a hassle, here are a few reasons why TOSOT LOMO A5 Series Inverter might be the perfect wall mounted air-conditioner for you.

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What is a Split-type Aircon?

A split-type aircon is a type of central air-conditioning system.

Split-type air-conditioning units are composed of two major peripherals: a relatively large compressor or condenser typically placed outside the home and an air-handling unit placed inside. The two units are linked via a conduit which keeps the suction tubing, refrigerant tubing, condensate drain, and power cable together. The compressor is ideally placed outdoors since it can be quite noisy and hot when operating.

General Benefits of Wall Mounted (Split-type)

•More Appealing

Compared to a window-type aircon, TOSOT wall mounted aircon is more pleasant to the eyes and adds to the aesthetics of the entire room.

•Well-Insulated Split-type aircons are also well-insulated than the regular window-type AC which has poor insulation. Better insulation means greater energy efficiency.

But among the multitude of aircon types one can see in the nearby appliance store, why choose a split-type?

• Permanent Cooling

While split-type AC requires some minor construction and professional installation that can somewhat be a hassle for the homeowners and the contractors, choosing this kind of air-conditioning unit is more of an advantage rather than a burden. The Philippines is sunny and humid most of the year and requires that homes and establishments are cool and comfortable almost every day. So having permanent cooling equipment available for use is such a great convenience during these times.

• Less Intrusion

The TOSOT LOMO A5 Series Inverter aircon, built to be compact and stylish, is wall mounted and frees your windows. You don’t need to block any openings with window-type ACs so you can enjoy the warm summer sunlight filling your home. The floor area is also not covered with bulky portable air coolers.

Furthermore, it produces more subtle sounds compared to the other types, making it a better choice for a home and establishment aircon.

Features to Look Out For in the Split-type (Wall Mounted) Aircon •Earth-friendly

•Remote and Wired Furnished with an all-new refrig- Control erant called R32, TOSOT LOMO A5 Series Inverter aircon is both energy-efficient and eco-friendly.

•Precise Temperature Control

In buying the perfect aircon for your home, one thing to consider is the capability of the unit to output precise temperature control just like the TOSOT LOMO A5 aircon.

Since the unit is basically installed a few feet up on the wall, it is convenient and flexible for the user to control the aircon from anywhere within the line of sight of the unit. There is also a wired control if ever your remote is out of batteries.

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S P E C IA L F E AT U R E

Features to Look Out For in the Split-type (Wall Mounted) Aircon Before buying a split-type aircon for your homes, it is best to determine the dimensions of the room where you want your aircon to be installed. Ideally, large rooms with more than 40 square meters will require a minimum output capacity of 10,000 BTU/hour, while for medium-sized rooms, about 9,000 BTU/hour is already enough.

Good thing the TOSOT LOMO A5 Series aircons’ output capacity has a wide range from 9000 BTU/hour to 17000 BTU/ hour. The TWC09VRE which has a capacity of 9000 BTU/hour is best for rooms with floor areas from 32 to 37 square meters.

The TWC12VRE, on the other hand, fits rooms up to 51 square meters. The biggest unit in the series, the TWC18VRE can cool rooms with floor areas about 90 square meters.

Another factor to consider is buying an inverter-type aircon, like the TOSOT LOMO A5 Series. In regular ACs, the compressor turns on or off depending on the room’s temperature, but in inverter types, the compressor is always on but consumes varying amounts of power depending on the temperature. This is certain10

ly less energy-consuming since the compressor does not always operate at its maximum capacity.

This also lengthens its life span as the load is lesser compared to the regular ones. The inverter-type may be a bit more expensive, but the investment is sure worth it in the long run. Inverter ACs reduce energy costs by up to 50 percent, cutting back on your monthly electricity bills.

To find out the best wall mounted air conditioner for your home,

office or party event venue, visit TOSOT showroom located at 2162 FB Harrison St., San Jose, Pasay City, Philippines or call +632-8330000 to book an appointment. You may also visit their website (click here) to get more information about the best split type aircon in the Philippines.

S P E C IA L F E AT U R E

AUS’ Fulbright Scholar conducts research in Tianjin, China Sharjah, UAE. May 13, 2019—Associate Professor of Architecture at American University of Sharjah (AUS) Marcus Farr is currently pursuing research in China as a Fulbright Scholar. One of the world’s most prestigious and competitive fellowship programs, the Fulbright Schol12

ar Program has provided funding for qualified recipients to study, conduct research, teach or exercise their talents abroad. Fulbright recipients have included scores of Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize winners.

As part of the program, Farr

is undertaking research and teaching at Tianjin University Graduate School of Architecture. Farr is studying ancient Chinese architectural and building traditions, examining how these historical methods could help today’s architects find solutions to China’s unprecedented urban

growth, and creation of what have been termed “mega cities.” Farr’s work is of much relevance in both China and globally, as new approaches to construction and urban planning are necessary for allowing large populations to live comfortably within geographically limited spaces.

As environmental considerations become an increasing concern for governments around the world, Farr’s research into historical techniques could help to foster more environmentally sustainable practices in the present day.

He is currently examining the buildings of foreign concessions in Tianjin dating from the 1600s, exploring how the architecture of these buildings could hold clues for modern buildings in the city, and further afield.

Founded in 1946 by US Senator J. William Fulbright, the Fulbright Program is part of the United States government’s public diplomacy agenda, helping to improve intercultural relations, cultural diplomacy and intercultural competence between the people of the United States and other countries through the exchange of persons, knowledge and skills. Since his arrival in China, Farr has therefore been joining his Fulbright counterparts in gaining an in-depth understanding of Chinese

history and culture, travelling to the southwestern city of Dali to see relics of China’s history first-hand. The group of scholars has also spent time with the United States Ambassador to China, the United States Consul General to China, and other high-ranking diplomats, gaining an appreciation of their role as Fulbright scholars in representing the United States government.

population growth.”

AUS is chronicling Farr’s Fulbright journey through regular posts on the AUS Blog.

The latest installment in this series can be read here: www. aus.edu/fulbright-research.

Under the program, Farr has also begun teaching a group of graduate architecture students at Tianjin University.

He says of the importance of this cross-cultural experience: “Successful architects need to understand their practice from a global perspective and consider how international influences can potentially benefit the form and function of their work. The Fulbright Program allows me to learn from the Chinese experience of urbanization and the solutions created as a result.

It also allows my students to gain new perspectives from my background as an architect and academic in the United States, the Middle East and other parts of Asia. This cultural exchange is valuable in the professional development of architects, and is also hugely important in the creation of architectural solutions that meet current challenges, such as climate change and rapid 13

Why the oil industry isn’t a slick career path for millennials

Millennials are the generational equivalent to mass murderers, killing multitudes of businesses and industries in cold blood.

Products and services, as well as corporations that are deemed harmful to a better tomorrow are instinctively yet gradually destroyed by millennial inaction. Their immense unwillingness to 14

purchase whatever is offered is a slow-acting poison.

Their hit-list is so extensive and all-inclusive: from fanfavorites such as fast food, to the downright deserving such as the diamond industry. But there is no industry that gets as much flak and disapproval than oil and gas— the top priority target in the

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COVER STORY

millennial manhunt for unsustainable industries.

Millennials refusing to enter into the oil industry to uphold their environmental beliefs is a prime example of this generation’s eagerness to care for nature, butting heads with established conglomerates dead set on creating environmentally harmful energy. While usage of crude oil and petrol is the global norm, it comes at much too high a cost.

Because millennials seek to align themselves with more benign companies, sending their resumes to oil industry 16

hiring teams is essentially giving their souls away to the devil. That said, just like all the other industries millennials have offed, the oil industry has become a non-option for the millennials when it comes to finding a career.

According to an EY survey published on June 2017, careers in oil and gas have become unappealing for 62% of purposeful 22-to-37-year-old millennials. This is because giving their skills and talents to such an industry will have socio-economic and environmental repercussions in the future. They believe that the oil industry experiencing

a downturn and drought in the talent pool is dwarfed by the adverse, future consequences brought about by these types of fuel.

Not only do millennials see the ecologically damaging effects of oil and gas in this industry, but also perceive the political landscape as “unstable, blue-collar, difficult, and dangerous”.

So what do millennials look for in a job?

One thing people have to know about millennials is that everything they decide (what they buy, where they go, how they behave, etc.) is dictated by their beliefs, which in turn are shaped by their desire to better the bleakness of this world. Their goal is to leave a future-improving legacy, albeit in a realistic way. They are not totally positive or overly negative. They simply choose to make the most of the cards they have been dealt. When they choose to off a certain business, more often than not, they ask themselves, “will the world be better off without this?”

As stated in the EY survey, there is a stark difference in what oil and gas executives believe millennials want in a job and what millennials really want.

In classic “older executive” fashion, the older generation believes that their younger counterparts care about the technology with which they are working, and view salary as the quintessential prize to be won despite being in disagreement with the company tasks. Also, too much emphasis was put in 18

how getting the work done with the best gadgets and tools are attractive to millennials (43%), but this could not be further from the truth.

While salary is still at the top of the millennial priority list, the younger generations seek career paths that offer sufficient work-life balance, job stability and happiness, and more importantly, are aligned with their beliefs. True enough, millennials care little about using technologies in the office, no matter how avant-garde. At only 10%, this was the least important driver in the millennial search for a viable career path.

The very nature of millennials,

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in that they are purpose-driven and socio-politically and environmentally proactive directly contradicts the oil and gas industry’s main objective whether they admit it or not.

But millennials aren’t just killing the “bad” for the sake of dispensing retribution. In fact, millennials searching for better, more sustainable and least environmentally detrimental alternatives, are how these corporate giants are being “killed”. One falls, another rises.

In the context of finding career paths, the younger generations have opted to find jobs in environmental fuel technologies and more companies that offer more nat-

ural fuel systems and energy i.e. a company that is directly opposed to slowly polluting the planet.

What needs to be done then, as far as the oil and gas industry is concerned, is an internal audit and inevitable overhaul of their brand, if they still seek potential new hires. A more familial, humane office culture must be fostered in response to the hireand-fire culture to which the older executives are accustomed, as well as a steady flow of incentives for those who have long committed to the industry.

That, or up the ante in digital automation to fulfil the least difficult of tasks.

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According to an EY survey published on June 2017, careers in oil and gas have become unappealing for 62% of purposeful 22-to-37-year-old millennials.

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As for the long-term effects of fossil fuels to the ecosystem, it is paramount that oil and gas companies either minimize the destruction their products bring to nature, or find ways to transition to more sustainable and safer alternatives for energy. Lastly, the industry itself must modernize their communication strategy i.e. be able to fit the shoes of prospects and visualize the world from their point of view.

Should oil and gas companies begin these next steps, the number of new hires among millennials might increase. But, until then, the oil industry and millennials are mixing like oil and water.

-end-

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WE CREATE THE INNOVATORS, LEADERS & THINKERS OF TOMORROW

For over 20 years, American University of Sharjah (AUS) has been at the helm of the region’s intellectual, cultural and scientific development.

As we enter our third decade, we are renewing our commitment to providing outstanding undergraduate and graduate education, and embarking on a new era of pioneering research.

27 bachelor’s programs | 14 master’s programs | 4 research institutes | 3 research centers Executive Education | PhD in Engineering Systems Management

Learn more:

www.aus.edu/cen AUS has been ranked in the world's top 50 universities under 50 years of age.

AUS has the highest percentage of international students of any ranked university in the world.

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Not only do millennials see the ecologically damaging effects of oil and gas in this industry, but also perceive the political landscape as “unstable, blue-collar, difficult, and dangerous�.

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NEWS

UAE Nationals start training with Schlumberger as ADNOC continues to Develop World Class Workforce A group of Emirati employees, from the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), has become the first group of trainees to start a two year professional development programme with Schlumberger, one of the world’s leading oil and gas industry technology and service providers, as ADNOC continues its efforts to build a worldclass workforce with enhanced advanced technology and innovation capabilities.

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The group, which is mainly female, will undergo professional development at the Schlumberger Middle East and Asia Learning Center, a joint initiative between ADNOC and Schlumberger. This is the start of a programme that each year will see up to 20 UAE nationals sent to the centre, by ADNOC, to be trained in Upstream engineering disciplines.

On a visit to the Learning Center, Abdulmunim Al Kindy, ADNOC’s Director of Upstream said: “ADNOC is committed to developing world-class talent and ensuring its workforce is fully prepared to seize the vast opportunities Abu Dhabi’s strong resource base offers. Our partnership with world leading technology and service providers, like Schlumberger, will enable us to train and develop new employees to the highest global standards, and provide them with the engineering and technical abilities to succeed in the evolving energy landscape.

“In common with other global oil and gas companies, ADNOC is confronting the need to bolster new skills, as the industry adopts advanced technologies and increasingly makes use of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data platforms, in the search to uncover further efficiency gains and create enhanced value. It is critical, therefore, we build a robust pipeline of expert engineers, able to make

the most of emerging technologies to ensure that we remain resilient and thrive in the future. I am also delighted that the first group to pass the evaluation criteria are mainly female, underlining our commitment to fostering gender diversity and upskilling top female talent.”

The Schlumberger Middle East and Asia Learning Centre provides advanced training for oil and energy industry professionals and is complete with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, including a custom-built training rig.

All ADNOC trainees will be subject to the same rigorous selection and performance evaluation criteria as the international Schlumberger employees they will learn and develop alongside. As well as receiving training at the centre, ADNOC’s Emirati employees will also receive in-field experience at Schlumberger’s operations across the world.

Shajan Maani, Schlumberger Middle East and Asia Learning Centre Manager said: “We are committed to developing young Emirati talents that will lead our industry in the UAE. To launch this program, the Schlumberger Middle East and Asia Learning Centre worked hand in hand with ADNOC and 31

the Schlumberger operations teams. The uniqueness of this training program resides in the combination of state of the art facilities and training expertise with industry business knowledge provided by highly experienced instructors. Diversity is one of Schlumberger’s key differentiators and we are proud to start this journey with a group of dedicated and talented young women.�

The Schlumberger Middle East and Asia Learning Center is one of the largest oilfield services training centres in the world. Equipped with classrooms, workshops, state-of-the-art laboratories, the latest Learning Technologies such as Virtual Reality and field technical equipment, including a custom-built training rig, the Middle East and Asia Learning Centre provides geoscientists, field engineers, field technicians and maintenance engineers from all over the world with basic and advanced skills related to the oilfield upstream sectors.

Under the terms of the agreement, between ADNOC and Schlumberger, the centre will also be utilised, by ADNOC, to upskill and develop its workforce through specially designed training courses, seminars and workshops.

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NEWS

PTT – KSS signed contract for The Fifth Transmission Pipeline Project Phase 2 Ms. Raushan Yesbulatova, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Kingdom of Thailand (4th from the right) and Mr. Tevin Vongvanich, President & Chief Executive Officer, PTT Public Company Limited (4th from the left), presided over “Contract Signing Ceremony for The Fifth Transmission Pipeline Project Phase 2” between PTT Public Company Limited and JSC “OGCC KazStroySer-

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vice” (KSS). The contract was signed by Mr. Chansin Treenuchagron, Chief Technology and Engineering Officer, PTT Public Company Limited (3rd from the left) and Mr. Ravi Keswani, Chief Financial Officer, JSC “OGCC KazStroyService” (KSS) (2nd from the right). The Fifth Transmission Pipeline Project Phase 2 (ChachoengsaoNonthaburi), with the main pipeline of approximately 200 kilometers expecting to be finished within 2021, is one of

PTT Group’s projects that has adopted Integrity Pact since 2017, ensuring that procurement processes as well as the disclosure of important project information are transparent and handled in a bribery-free manner under the observation of independent observers.

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NEWS

SK E&P America, Inc., Executes Definitive Agreement to Acquire Membership Interests of Longfellow Nemaha, LLC

S

K E&P America, Inc. (“SK” or the “Company”), a wholly owned subsidiary of SK innovation Co., Ltd, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all of the outstanding membership interests of Longfellow Nemaha, LLC (“Longfellow”), a private oil and gas exploration and production company with assets in the prolific STACK play

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in Kingfisher and Garfield Counties in Oklahoma. SK innovation is a leading energy and petrochemical company engaged in businesses that span the value chain, including upstream production, refining, chemicals, lubricants, and batteries to power the future. It is an affiliate of SK Group, which is the second largest business group in South Korea.

The transaction will represent a significant expansion in SK’s core focus area in the U.S. Mid-Continent region.

Taewon Kim, President of SK E&P America, said “SK initially invested in the growing U.S. oil & gas upstream market in 2014, and through this platform we continue to build a balanced portfolio of conventional and unconventional assets. This transaction

NEWS

leverages our operational expertise in the region and represents a significant step towards realizing SK’s vision of being a top-tier operator in U.S. Lower 48 Mid-Continent region and potentially beyond.”

Moelis & Company acted as exclusive financial advisor and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP served as legal advisor to SK for the transaction.

About SK E&P America, Inc. SK E&P America, SK Innovation’s U.S. subsidiary, entered the U.S. market in March 2014 by acquiring oil and gas assets in Oklahoma (SK Plymouth LLC) and Texas (SK Permian LLC). SK has established itself as a leading US operator with a deep expertise in unconventional resource development and technologies.

About SK innovation Co., Ltd Established as South Korea’s first oil refining company in 1962, SK Innovation engages in diverse areas of business, including exploration and production (E&P), batteries, and information and electronics materials. It owns SK Energy, South Korea’s No.1 refining company, SK Global Chemical, the leader in the domestic petrochemical industry, SK Lubricants, a global lubricants company, SK Incheon 38

Petrochem, a refining and chemical company, and SK Trading International, a trader of crude oils and petrochemicals.

As part of their management system, SK Innovation pursues the maximization of happiness for all stakeholders. It is for this reason that SK Innovation recognizes the importance of and pays attention to social

enterprise, a way to create social values through business.

MIDDLE EAST NEWS

Why undertaking an MBA at American University of Sharjah could be the best decision you make for your engineering career

Are you an engineer with aspirations to secure a management position, or start your own business? Have you considered how a Master of Business Administration (MBA) might help you realize these goals?

An undergraduate engineering degree provides essential technical knowledge for entry-level engineering positions, and for the first few years in an engineer’s career. However, as engineers ascend in their orga40

nization, their time is often less focused on technical problems, and more toward solving business challenges. As engineers are promoted, they often encounter the challenge of managing people and teams, and are required to oversee budgets and timelines.

For many engineers, undertaking an MBA allows them to navigate these challenges with confidence, and prove to their peers and leaders that they have not only excellent technical skills, but also

the capacity to strategically evaluate business problems and lead change. The MBA offered by the School of Business Administration (SBA) at American University of Sharjah (AUS) has long been a popular choice for ambitious engineers in the region, helping them to scale the heights of their profession, and, in some cases, successfully launch their own businesses and achieve financial success.

The AUS MBA is one of the region’s most highly regarded.

SBA has been ranked by U.S. News as being the region’s number one business school. It is also one of the region’s few

business schools to have achieved accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International).

Of the 15,000 business schools worldwide, only 760 have been accredited by AACSB, demonstrating the standard of learning provided at SBA. Such accolades give engineers undertaking an MBA through AUS confidence that their degree will be recognized and respected throughout their future careers, whether in the Middle East or further afield.

The structure and flexibility of AUS’ MBA allows engineers to 41

MIDDLE EAST NEWS

undertake the program while also successfully meeting the demands of their employers.

The program has been designed to permit professionals who are busy with their career and family obligations to balance their commitments. The program’s courses are taught during weekday evenings, and students can take as little as 15 months or as long as five years to complete the MBA. A wide selection of course electives also allows MBA students to tailor the program to their career or industry needs.

For many of AUS’ MBA students, 42

it is the experience and real-world understanding of SBA’s faculty that makes their experience so valuable. They represent 34 countries of origin, and have earned PhDs in their respective business disciplines from AACSB-accredited, predominantly North American, universities. Their understanding of the regional and global business environment offers SBA students precious insight, and prepares them well for the challenges and opportunities that await them as they advance through their careers.

In addition, the learning and sharing of ideas and experiences among the MBA student body is invaluable. Our students come from a wide range of academic and ethnic backgrounds, as well as industry experiences, providing valuable insights and connections within the AUS MBA student and alumni network.

Kevin Rose Dias, who completed a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at AUS and who is now undertaking his MBA at AUS, says:

“During my time as a candidate for the Master in Business Administration (MBA) at the American University of Sharjah, I have been involved in extensive academic and research work contributing to the program and my profession. My professional journey as a data analyst in business intelligence and marketing analytics is complemented by my MBA studies and academic research paths I have undertaken. The leadership, decision-making and innovation attitude fostered through the MBA program has also enabled me to contribute

back to the community, reflected by my being a guest speaker at various university/public events and my various published research work. The MBA studies have definitely complemented my engineering undergraduate degree, building on my design-thinking mentality and giving me considerably more scope for accelerated growth in my chosen career path.�

To learn more about the AUS MBA, visit: www.aus.edu/sba.

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MIDDLE EAST NEWS

Oscillating Axle is a Valuable Feature on Rough Terrain Aerial Work Platforms (AWPs) often integrated into scissor lifts and boom lifts

When using an oscillating axle system, the two sides of the axle can pivot in response to flooring surface on which they operate so that all wheels remain on the ground when the equipment is on the move, but lock into place when the boom is elevated, to ensure stability. This means greater safety when operating the boom, and a smoother ride

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and greater operator control (and confidence) when moving the equipment. The system also reduces the risk that the AWP will get stuck, because the wheels are always in contact with the ground so they can always be used to propel the equipment over the terrain.

MIDDLE EAST NEWS

Not all AWPs are fitted with the feature, as it requires a more complex mechanical system with more hydraulics and more electronics. Nonetheless over the years, oscillating axles have been offered as a standard feature on more and more AWPs produced by most of the leading manufacturers.

Normally, if the platform is in the air, the oscillating axle feature is disabled. The reason is that the stability is reduced. Indeed, if ever there is any sort of equipment malfunction, one of the checks that we at Manlift run is to ensure that the oscillating axle system does automatically lock during operation and is only functional when the platform is in transport position.

However, an interesting variation is the active oscillating axle offer

by Genie. This system has the additional benefit of being able to drive the AWP even when the boom is elevated and while the axle is oscillating. This brings with it improved maneuverability over slightly uneven ground even when the access platform is elevated.

The various usages and benefits of oscillating axle were discussed during IPAF trainings to give operators a full understanding of how this important feature works and how to use it to best advantage.

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A S I A PA C I F I C N E W S

How to Conduct an Open House Day for Access Platforms Clients? Manlift Group Marketing Tips The key focus of Manlift’s open house day is the demonstration of the Manlift Way Having an open house day will allow us to build a foundation of trust with new and existing customers who are working in any industry that utilizes aerial work platforms. This delivery of the best customer experience is an important part of our mission and vision at Manlift as well as give our customers the chance to learn about our new value solutions that help them achieve the highest level of safety and efficiency.

The key focus of Manlift’s open house day is the demonstration of the Manlift Way. As the heartbeat of our company, the Manlift Way aims to showcase the latest improvements and advancements in our processes and services 48

while giving added values to our (potential) customers.

Additionally, such an event is a great reason for everyone to have look around, chat with our key account managers, or other stakeholders and experience the culture of Manlift.

360 degree Task Force Team Preparation is the key!

As with any event, organizing an open house day requires COOPERATION. It works only if everyone is willingly giving time and effort to the project and bringing their differing skills to the table.

Being systematic and having a proper agenda and action reg-

ister will help to not only gain an overview on all the steps that need to be taken, but also to not forget any important aspects: Defining next the project owner who drives and leads the project, coordinates with different team members and supports the team when needed is crucial.

Defining next the project owner who drives and leads the project, coordinates with different team members and supports the team when needed is crucial.

At Manlift, “The Manlift Way champion” makes sure to grant the best yard layout, promoting great visual experience, and an excellent flow to facilitate a “walk

A S I A PA C I F I C N E W S through� the depot rental cycle, incl. the explanation of our depot bays. In fact, for each depot cell, we allocate a team member to share key criterias of the respective bay station.

Prior to the event, the workshop manager, yard controller and safety representative conduct the 6S internally and externally.

They prepare the visual signages, re-paint mark cell boundaries if necessary and carry out a depot risk assessment. We also suggest barricading off the area of the tour.

On a final note, the safety measures also need to be checked and made available such as PPE, high visibility vest and workshop layout displays.

From the communication point of view, the marketing team is responsible for sending out the invitations and promoting the Manlift Open House Day. This will be conducted through landing pages,press releases, and across all social media channels with a special attraction to come to the event with something that’s new and beneficial for customers.

Furthermore, the marketing team is responsible for creating a professional ambiance with proper, consistent branding in the yard. Manlift’s value propositions will be displayed through banners or pop ups and marketing materials such as leaflets and brochures. We will also create a nice give away for our customers, to make an impact on how we are perceived by them in return.

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The Commercial Team will be responsible for the tour guides, carrying out personal tours, and sending personal invites to customers across all industries.

Our Stores Controller ensures proper parts Kanban (signboard in Japanese).

and time at the beginning of your team meeting.

Training Department conducts a live IPAF training during the Open House Day.

At least two weeks prior to the event, set a deadline for registration once the date of the Open House Day is confirmed and announced accordingly.

Rental Desk Team / Hire Desk Team prepares KPI visual display, KPI explanation, hire process, sales app, etc.

In any case, the best way to learn is to visit us and experience Manlift for yourself!

At least one representative from all departments should be involved.

Make sure to agree on a proper budget to avoid facing any financial burdens in the end.

Also, make sure to define the day

A S I A PA C I F I C N E W S Filipinos recognize Fidel V. Ramos, or FVR, as the 12th President of the Philippine Republic who served from 1992 to 1998. The non-Roman Catholic leader was confronted with key national issues like the communist insurgencies and the Islamic separatist movement in Mindanao, but managed to forward the rapid economic growth early in his term. This fell apart later when a financial crisis hit Asia in 1997.

A President and Civil Engineering Board Exam Topnotcher FVR may not be a lawyer like many of the Philippine Presidents, but he is a licensed civil engineer who was a topnotcher.

Before he became the country’s commander-in-chief prior to Corazon Aquino, he was head of the Philippine Constabulary during Ferdinand Marcos’ regime. He was a key implementer of the martial law, but later defected from the government during the 1986 People Power Revolution. FVR led civilian demonstrations putting Marcos into exile.

That is what is mostly written in history books about him.

But there is also one thing that people should know about FVR which makes him unique among the Philippine presidents: FVR may not be a lawyer, but he is a licensed civil engineer who was a topnotcher.

Prior to this achievement, FVR joined the Philippine Military Academy as a cadet but didn’t finish as the 18-year-old won a government scholarship to the United States Military Academy in West Point. This was after he passed a series of qualifying examinations which he aced.

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A year after graduating in 1950, he grabbed the opportunity to take an engineering course in the US and applied for a government scholarship. He was accepted.

FVR received a one-and-a-halfyear grant for his Masters of Civil Engineering degree in one of the leading science and technology universities in the US, the University of Illinois.

FVR came back home with his master’s degree and reported to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). He was assigned

to the southern military area in Canlubang, Calamba, Laguna where the Hukbalahap movement was active. It wasn’t long that the Korean War intervened and his battalion combat team was sent to the war zone in Korea in 1952.

His tour of duty was successful, so he came to the country only to be assigned to a star position in General Headquarters, AFP. Realizing that he wants to be board-certified about his being a

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A S I A PA C I F I C N E W S

civil engineer, FVR reviewed for the board examination. At the time, he was working at Camp Aguinaldo (then Camp Murphy) and had to find all the means to rush to school.

felt the need to help in rebuilding the structures of his beloved country.

He revealed in a Business Mirror interview that his decision to become an engineer came a little late at 17 years old.

“I saw the massive damage when we came back to Manila after liberation sometime in February 1945,” FVR recalls. “And when I was crossing the Pasig River on a pontoon bridge, put up by the American liberation forces because the old Nagtahan Bridge had been blown up, I decided right then and there to become an engineer, in order to help in the reconstruction of the Philippines.”

That was after World War II, where many of the Philippines’ buildings were destroyed including the Post Office Building, the Manila Metropolitan Theater, and the Manila City Hall. FVR saw the wreckage and

After he topped the board exam and just as he felt the need to settle down and get married, FVR met a former schoolmate named Amelita Martinez. They got married after six months of courtship.

The 25-year-old FVR took the 1953 Civil Engineering Board Examination at the National University in Sampaloc, Manila, only to place 8th overall.

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In the early days of their marriage, FVR decided to enroll at the University of the Philippines College of Law to follow the footsteps of his father, former Ambassador Narciso Ramos, who was a successful lawyer and diplomat. However, this became difficult for the couple that his wife had made him choose.

“But it turned out that going to UP Law in the Ermita district was too much of my newly married status, and so my wife gave me an ultimatum: It’s either me or that law degree that you want so badly,” he says. “So I said, ‘of course I want you,’ and I gave up the law degree.”

Note that six of the Philippine Presidents were bar topnotchers.

FVR is one of the non-lawyers,

A S I A PA C I F I C N E W S

and the only one to receive a distinction of being a board topnotcher.

FVR went on to take two more master’s degree: one in National Security Administration at the National Defense College of the Philippines in 1969, and the other is in Business Administration at the Ateneo de Manila University in 1980. He holds five degrees as doctor of laws honoris causa. To add to that is the books he wrote counting close to 30 while in retirement.

Politics didn’t end for FVR after his term as President, as he was still involved in several 56

influential political organizations.

A little less than two years before the 2010 national elections, he urged voters to elect an engineer for President, if there were any. He hinted during a keynote speech in a Cebu conference that an engineer can better lead the Philippines compared to an economist. He said this without naming names.

“Let’s just say that we need someone who can visualize the whole picture, start and actualize,” FVR shares, referring to the skills inherent to an engineer.

F E AT U R E S T O RY

Senior Citizen Engineer? Nobody is Ever Too Old Age is just a number in Engineering!

I browse engineers’ forums regularly. In Quora and in Reddit, I always come across posts about users, sometimes in late 20s and more often in mid-30s, asking for public opinion whether or not they should pursue an engineering course at that age. And the answers, which come from the younger ones to people of their batch, unanimously express one thing: age is just a number.

It must be taboo for them that once you are no longer in the ideal age to be a college student, you are less likely to succeed or not at all. Last time I checked, there is no standard age to enroll in engineering. Hence, nobody is ever too old to become an engineer, or to become any professional for that matter.

From the forums, I have gathered that many brave – and old – souls have made the jump; however, they are not too many to be common. A lot of them come from different industries, regardless if related to engineering, but realized that they want to become an engineer later in life.

Which is completely all right.

I agree with the answers because age is just a number indeed – it is immaterial to reach one’s dreams.

‘Age doesn’t matter’ is usually 58

applied in other contexts but it fits so well in this situation.

One cannot rule out though that there may be to varying circumstances that affect the decision of the elderly to be involved in engineering. But I can say that they can only be ruled out as excuses – unless they are planning to take engineering half-heartedly – once they know the story of Colonel Sanders who went through an awful lot in life before he became an icon of Finger Lickin’ Good.

Long before he was known to be the founder of the famous fastfood chain KFC, Colonel Sanders had worked different odd jobs like a farmer, streetcar conductor, soldier, railroad fireman, lawyer, insurance salesman, steamboat operator, secretary, and lighting manufacturer, among others. This was after he quit school in seventh grade realizing that he would rather work all day than go to school. In the first half of his life, he also had a stint in Cuba with the Army.

Until in 1930, he acquired a ser-

F E AT U R E S T O RY

vice station in Corbin, Kentucky and served Southern dishes to travelers. Over time, his little restaurant became famous which forced him to get rid of the service station’s gas pump.

It took him 9 years to discover the signature “11 herbs and spices” that KFC is well-known for, a recipe that was developed in a pressure cooker now considered obsolete. It had the ideal consistency that Sanders had been looking for.

Undoubtedly, his chicken gained 60

wide popularity. Later, he was conferred by the governor of Kentucky in 1950 with a title of colonel, the highest honor the state can give. From then on, Colonel Sanders dressed in white suit and Kentucky colonel tie which is now used as the KFC icon.

But a new interstate had bypassed Sanders’ restaurant, forcing him to sell the location in 1956. He was left with a $105 Social Security check for income, but the 65-yearold did not leave the business and went door to door

with his chicken.

Together with his wife and a car, Colonel Sanders entered restaurants, offered to cook his chicken, and made a deal with the owners in case they liked the recipe. By 1963, he already had 600 restaurants across the US and Canada selling the signature Kentucky Fried Chicken.

In October of the same year, Colonel Sanders met lawyer John Y. Brown Jr. and venture capitalist Jack C. Massey who wanted to buy the franchise rights. In 1965 and at 73 years

F E AT U R E S T O RY

old, he finally agreed to sell the rights for $2 million (valued at $15.1 million in 2015), but under certain conditions: KFC keeps the chicken recipe, and Colonel Sanders gets a lifetime salary of $40,000 (which became $75,000 later) and remains as the brand ambassador, among others.

In October of the same year, Colonel Sanders met lawyer John Y. Brown Jr. and venture capitalist Jack C. Massey who wanted to buy the franchise rights. In 1965 and at 73 years old, he finally agreed to sell the rights for $2 million (valued at $15.1 million in 2015), but under certain conditions: KFC keeps the chicken recipe, and Colonel Sanders gets a lifetime salary of 62

$40,000 (which became $75,000 later) and remains as the brand ambassador, among others.

Colonel Sanders may not be an engineer, but there are valuable lessons to learn about his journey that should be picked up by those who think that it’s too late to achieve success in life.

Nobody is ever too old to become an engineer. It doesn’t matter if you are 36 or 43, one only needs hardwork, patience and determination to succeed in life because again, age is just a number.

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