Mohsen Paknejad referred to his Sunday visit to the Tehran Oil College, noting that the occasion of Student Day and the commemoration of three students killed in 1953 provided an opportunity to meet with students, professors and faculty members. He said the visit allowed him to learn firsthand about some of their challenges and concerns, and that he hopes, with help from colleagues, to take steps to address them.

Paknejad highlighted the industry’s urgent need for young and skilled workers, calling the oil sector a major economic advantage for the country that must draw on graduates from reputable institutions such as the Oil College and other schools affiliated with the Petroleum University of Technology.

Ensuring Competition in Recruiting Graduates for the Oil Industry

The minister underscored the key role of the Petroleum University of Technology in training specialized talent, noting that the school has a strong reputation and that many senior managers in today’s oil industry are alumni.

He added that students at the university, because they are familiar with the culture of the oil sector, develop a natural alignment with the industry’s organizational culture, making their presence valuable and effective.

Paknejad said several initiatives are planned to expand opportunities for young specialists to enter the field. But he noted that focusing solely on graduates of the Petroleum University of Technology could be unfair to students from other universities, who are also qualified. “We must create a competitive environment so that all deserving talents can join the oil industry through a fair process,” he said. “God willing, we will work to increase recruitment capacity in line with the industry’s needs.”