University of Calgary

ISES

March 5, 2009

The next generation of energy experts

“ The ISES team is thrilled to have the support of the Alberta Government and Nexen,” says U of C student Kali Taylor, ISES
“ The ISES team is thrilled to have the support of the Alberta Government and Nexen,” says U of C student Kali Taylor, ISES chair.
University of Calgary students organizing their first-ever international student energy conference in Calgary have received major funding support totalling $240,000 from the Alberta government and global energy company Nexen Inc.

The International Student Energy Summit (ISES) aims to attract about 500 post-secondary students from around the world to Calgary this June 11 to 13, for an interactive forum on sustainable resource management and the future of energy.

Alberta Energy has contributed $125,000 toward the ISES event, while the Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) has provided $65,000.

“Energy has underwritten the story of our province and it will continue to do so in the future. That’s what makes Alberta the perfect place to host this summit,” says Energy Minister Mel Knight. “The Government of Alberta is proud to support this initiative that will bring together the next generation of energy experts around their common goal of securing a sustainable energy future.”

“This summit is important because our energy future will soon be in the hands of our students,” says ERCB Chairman Dan McFadyen.

ISES will feature internationally recognized energy experts speaking on three main themes: finance, regulation & sustainability; global energy cooperation; and technology and innovation. Student leaders will dialogue with the experts and submit outcomes from the forum in a report to government and industry leaders, to help advance sustainable energy development.

Calgary-based Nexen has committed $50,000 to the ISES event.

“Attracting and retaining young people is one of the key challenges facing the petroleum industry. ISES represents an excellent opportunity for enhanced dialogue with the youth of today,” says Randy Gossen, vice-president of Global Business Relations at Nexen and the current president of the World Petroleum Council, which has also endorsed ISES.

“The ISES team is thrilled to have the support of the Alberta Government and Nexen, in helping us to deliver this exciting event,” says U of C student Kali Taylor, ISES chair. “We are seeking additional sponsorship and support from the energy industry. We want to ensure we can bring a large number of international students to Calgary by offering them scholarships to attend the conference.” 

The U of C’s Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy is administering the ISES event and providing staff support to the student organizing committee.

Pre-registration for students and more information are available at the ISES website: (www.studentenergy.org).