Penspen wins American Society of Mechanical Engineers Global Pipeline Award

Penspen has won the prestigious ‘Global Pipeline Award’ from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for their internet-based Masters in Pipeline Integrity Management, run in partnership with Northumbria University in the UK.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers judge and present the award at the International Pipeline Conference and Exposition in Calgary, Canada, where over 5000 delegates meet every two years.

The award ‘recognises outstanding innovations and technological advances in the field of pipeline transportation’. Penspen was one of 5 companies short-listed for the prize, and the winner was announced at a large awards dinner in Calgary on 30th September.

Michelle Unger, Head of Learning Services said,

‘This Masters programme is unique as all the tutors are experts from the pipeline industry, it is delivered totally via the internet, and students can obtain an MSc without ever leaving their country. The success of the course means we can now create a version in Spanish, and launch it into Latin America, where there is a great demand for this type of education. This award will help us expand around the world.’

Phil Hopkins, Penspen’s Technical Director said

‘The Global Pipeline Award is presented to the outstanding innovation and technological development in the global pipeline industry. The American Society of Engineers award this prize, via a panel of international judges. This prestigious award is highly competitive, and has previously been won by the likes of Petrobras and Petro China. I am delighted we have won it, and I was proud to accept the award on behalf of Penspen, in particular for Michelle Unger and her Learning Team in the Newcastle office, who designed and deliver the MSc. I’d also like to acknowledge the Penspen staff David Eyre, Andy Young, Susannah Turner and Graham Goodfellow who are tutors on the MSc. They’ve all worked hard, and thoroughly deserve this recognition. A fantastic achievement’.

Dr Rebecca Strachan, Associate Dean (Business and Engagement) for Engineering and Environment at Northumbria University, Newcastle, said:

“We are delighted that this innovative MSc programme has been recognised for this award. It is a brilliant example of a successful university-industry partnership created to meet the demands of a specific sector and provide students with an edge in their future careers.

“The programme provides a flexible and accessible way to upskill staff and develop their professional competencies for the oil and gas pipeline industry and we are proud of the way staff here at the University and at Penspen work together to deliver it. This award-winning partnership further demonstrates Northumbria’s commitment to partnership working as a professional, business-focused University.”