GEGEO (Guinea Equatorial GEOscience program) is a technical and scientific exchange program between the National University of Equatorial Guinea (UNGE) and the University of South Carolina (USC). On September 2003 the GEGEO Program enrolled 22 students in a three-year geotechnical program at the Malabo campus. Faculty associated with USC and UNGE collaborated to develop and teach a curriculum that combines basic science training emphasizing geosciences and English language training. The first two students from UNGE were selected in the fall of 2004 from the geotechnical program to complete a bachelor of science in Geological Sciences at the University of South Carolina. These two UNGE students received full scholarships to complete their training. Students are admitted to the USC program based on their performance at the UNGE geotechnical program and on their mastery of English. Since 2004, 55 students have entered the UNGE program, and 6 have graduated. Currently there are eight students in the USC program, and we expect the first to graduate in 2007.


 

PROGRAM HISTORY
 

2002

• Agreement of Technical and Scientific Cooperation between UNGE and USC is established.

2003

• South Atlantic Natural Resources becomes the first GEGEO sponsor.
• The first GEGEO students enroll in fall semester classes provided by USC instructors (Geology and English) at UNGE.

2004

• Mobil Equatorial Guinea Inc. and Devon Energy become the second and third GEGEO sponsors.
• The first GEGEO scholarship is awarded, and the first GEGEO Scholars enroll as undergraduates in the Department of Geological Sciences for the fall semester at USC.

2005

• GEGEO Advisory Board Committee is established.
• Sponsors South Atlantic Natural Resources, Mobil Equatorial Guinea Inc., and Devon Energy are recognized in a UNGE ceremony attended  by the Vice Minister of Mines and Energy of Equatorial Guinea.
• Two new GEGEO-UNGE Scholars enroll fall semester at USC.

2006

• Marathon Oil Company and Hess join existing GEGEO program sponsors.
• Eight GEGEO-UNGE Scholars graduate from UNGE.
• Mr. Jose Manuel Esara, UNGE’s Dean, visits USC.
• Two new GEGEO-UNGE Scholars enroll for the fall semester at USC.
• GEGEO initiates an Engineering Degree program for GEGEO-UNGE Scholars.
• All sponsors are recognized at a UNGE ceremony attended by the Vice Minister of Mines and Energy of Equatorial Guinea.

2007

• GEGEO-UNGE Scholar graduation ceremony in Malabo is attended by the President of Equatorial Guinea.
• South Atlantic Natural Resources, Marathon Oil Company, Devon Energy, and Mobil Equatorial Guinea Inc., continue their support of the GEGEO program.
• First GEGEO-UNGE Scholar field trip to Bata introduces the students to continental geology.
• Two new GEGEO-UNGE Scholars enroll for the fall semester at USC.
• Two GEGEO-UNGE Scholars complete internships at Marathon (in Malabo) and Noble Energy (in Houston).

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