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A presentation on geosciences was held by
professor Janos Urai
MUSCAT A presentation on Geosciences
was held by Professor Janos Urai, Programme
Director of the Bachelor of Science in
Applied Geosciences at the Oman German
University of Technology (OGTech) on Tuesday
evening at the OGTech premises in Al Gubra.
Urai has worked in different universities
such as the State University of New York,
the University of California at Davis, the
Australian National University in Canberra
and the Shell Research Centre in the
Netherlands. In Oman, Professor Urai has
been working closely with PDO throughout the
past eight years. In an interview on the
sidelines of his presentation Professor Dr.
Janos Urai shared his experience as a
Geologist.
Professor Urai, what is Geosciences
about?
Geoscientists want to understand the
processes which shape our planet and
therefore they need to combine the past and
the future and vice versa. So as a
Geoscientist we can reconstruct how Earth
was in the past and how our planet may
become in the future. We can use the
knowledge about the past to predict where
oil, gas or water can be found in the
subsurface and for example how to live in a
world with climate change and natural
disasters like Gonu. You learn as well how
to manage our natural resources better
without just exploiting our planet.
Why Geosciences is so important for Oman and
the whole Gulf region?
Geosciences is one of the key factors in the
oil and gas exploration and production
business and it is the largest industry in
the region. But Geosciences is also
important in water management, the
management of mineral ores, and Earth
materials, the planning of infrastructure
like buildings or roads and in tourism. All
are very important parts of the Omani
economy. In addition, we have to understand
our planet to be able to plan and prosper in
the next century which will bring many
changes in a world with decreasing oil and
gas reservoirs.
What are the skills needed as a geologist?
You need to be open minded, a life long
learner, a critical thinker, able to
understand complex processes and have some
affinity to Math, Physics, Biology and
Computers and like to work in a team. Most
of the Geosciences jobs do not involve work
out in the field, so if this is not your
think don't worry too much, above all love
your planet.
How does a normal day of a Geologist look
like?
Many Geologists work in an office in a
team of men and women, with computers and
different kinds of information. Others work
in a laboratory, doing measurements on rock
samples, or work in the field doing
measurements, drilling wells or collecting
seismic data. Later in your career you may
become head of a team and have more
management responsibilities. In some cases,
there is travelling involved too.
Could you just tell me a little bit about
your current projects in Oman?
We have a large number of projects, studying
many aspects of Geosciences, such as the
structure of oil and gas reservoirs, the way
the crust of the earth breaks and forms
faults which can change an oil field or
create earthquakes, or how groundwater can
be best managed and natural hazards
incorporated in planning. At the moment I
have a problem finding good staff because
there are so many jobs offered. Several of
our projects are in Oman, and in cooperation
with OGTech. For example in Al Jebel Al
Akhdar we are studying we work in large
laboratories with modern measurement
equipment, drill research well, or make
computer models.
In your view, being a Geologist is a male
job?
There is an increasing number of
successful women geologists, you can see
this clearly in the Sultanate, for example
at PDO.
Are you going to have regular field trips
during the study programmes
(e.g. in Germany) and during your job?
The study programme will involve some
field trips and also practicals in Germany.
Professor Janos Urai, why did you
personally study Geosciences?
I became a geoscientist, because I liked
Physics, Math, Chemistry and computers but
also liked being outdoors and do my work
with rocks. It was the knowledge and the
adventure for me but for others there can be
many other reasons. Later I worked for Shell
and now I teach at a university where I am
very free to do the research I like and can
work with bright young students. I am
fascinated by Omani geology and have several
projects ongoing in cooperation with my
Omani colleagues. Currently we we have been
studying the mineral venes in Jebel Al
Akhdar. There are no other rocks in the
world where there is such a big outcrop like
in Jebel Al Akhdar. The Jebel Al Akhdar has
been formed during the Ice Age, it is a huge
rock monolith.
What can I do with a BsC in Geosciences?
You can get a job in an oil, gas company
or a water management company. Or you can
work in a government institution, as a
consultant, or become a researcher and
teacher at a university.
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