Empowering Future Petroleum Engineers Through Industry Engagement

Feb 14, 2026

At MIT World Peace University, Pune, experiences extend beyond the classroom to create meaningful industry exposure and deeper understanding. On February 14, 2026, the Flagship SPE MIT-WPU Student Chapter’s Annual Industry–Institute Interaction Program (AIIIP) successfully brought together accomplished women leaders, young professionals, and industry veterans, offering students a rare and immersive perspective into the global oil and gas ecosystem.

Through powerful and authentic conversations, industry professionals shared remarkable stories from the field  from working on oilfields in Iraq under extreme security conditions to operating in 50°C desert environments and icy offshore rigs. They spoke insightfully about balancing leadership responsibilities with personal life, navigating complex global energy landscapes, and driving innovation across technical and AI domains. These firsthand experiences gave students insights that extend far beyond textbooks, helping them better understand the realities and opportunities within the industry.

Participants gained valuable exposure to real-world oilfield operations, diverse technical career pathways, research and development, upstream analytics, and emerging opportunities in AI, CCUS, and geothermal energy, along with startups and entrepreneurship within the oil and gas sector. Interactions with senior professionals from leading global organisations reinforced a clear message  the future of the energy industry is dynamic, evolving, and full of opportunity for those ready to innovate and lead.

The successful culmination of AIIIP proudly continues a 29-year legacy at MIT-WPU, Pune, empowering future petroleum engineers with the perspective, purpose, and confidence needed to thrive in a rapidly changing energy landscape.