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Current research trends on iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) are extensively focused because of their unique magnetic and electrical properties mostly applicable in essential medical devices. However, their fungicidal property against plant pathogens is very less known until date. Present study demonstrates a green technique for blending of FeNPs by utilising aqueous extract of neem leaf ( A Juss.) as reducing agent. Various characterisation techniques such as ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were performed for FeNPs. The authors' results demonstrate the more cluster formation of FeNPs with size distribution of 20-80 nm. The bio-fabricated FeNPs showed enhanced biocidal activity against economically important phytopathogens of apple such as , and . From the obtained results, it can be suggested that further delve into green synthesis of FeNPs can address future biotechnology concerns to limit the synthesis of FeNPs by conventional methods. Furthermore, the field study on pathogenic fungi can be an effective step to verify their agricultural applications.

For decades, the university education has provided a base foundation and prepared students to join the workforce. Despite the technical foundation, students lack practical exposure. To bridge the practical knowledge gap, the industry has launched various short duration interns/externs programs. Even then these programs are not broad enough to provide a holistic understanding of the Oil and Gas Industry. Therefore, in 2015 to address this practical application NExT, a Schlumberger company, launched an interactive simulation based learning competition called PetroChallenge sponsored by Oil and Gas companies. The students are grouped into integrated teams of 3 or 4 participants; for example, an engineer, geoscientist and a business major student forms a team. Each team then acts as an operating company being fully exposed to the complete upstream cycle of the oil and gas industry using a web-based simulator called OilSim. Throughout the event, these teams make Exploration and Production (E&P) decisions and their actions and choices are then judged through the Net Present Value (NPV) of their company. The winning teams are declared based on the combined highest NPV and credibility points, earned by each team based on their challenge decisions and corporate social activities and engagements. As E&P companies are making a stride to reduce the "Time to Autonomy" for new recruits, an event like the PetroChallenge can be a good enabler for students to be better prepared when joining the workforce. In these unique events, the sponsoring companies have an opportunity to evaluate potential recruits in action, not only from a technical perspective, but also, their business acumen including negotiation, risk taking and decision making skills. In the same token, students get an opportunity to network with their potential employers. In 2015, three Universities (Rice, Penn State and University of Toronto) and ShawCor partnered with NExT and launched the inaugural PetroChallenge. These three events marked a phenomenal impact in students' learning and understanding of the oil and gas decision making process. Two winning teams from each of these events met at the North America finals, with Penn State becoming the first North American PetroChallenge university champions. This presentation is prepared to share the key learnings and benefits of this type of student engagement prior to them moving into the real world.

The upstream oil and gas industry's digital transformation over the last few years has accelerated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data analytics and machine learning are key components of this digital transformation and have become essential skills for experienced petrotechnical professionals (PTPs) and aspiring entrants into the field. The objective of our work was to design and deliver a practical, engaging, and online microcredential certification program in upstream energy data analytics for PTPs. The program was conceived as a collaboration between academia (University of Houston's UH Energy) and industry (NExT, a Schlumberger company). It was designed as three belt levels (Bronze, Silver, and Gold), each containing three stackable badges of 12 to 15 hours duration per badge. Key design points included Identifying an online platform for administration Delivering convenient, interactive, live online sessions Delivering hybrid classes blending lectures and hands-on laboratories Designing laboratories using upstream datasets across various stages of oilfield expertise Administering test and quizzes, Kaggle competitions, and team projects. The program contents were designed incorporating appropriate instructional design practices for effective online class delivery. The design and delivery of the laboratories using a code-free approach by leveraging visual programming offers PTPs and new entrants a unique opportunity to learn data analytics concepts without the traditional concern of learning to code. Additionally, the collaboration between academia and industry enables delivering a program that combines academic rigor with application of the skills and knowledge to solve problems facing the industry using the real-world datasets. As a pilot program, all three badges of the Bronze belt were scheduled and successfully delivered during July and August 2020, as six 2-hour sessions per badge. From a total of 26 students registered in badge 1, 24 completed it, resulting in a completion rate of 92%. Out of these students, 19 registered and completed badge 2 and badge 3, resulting in the completion rates of 100%. Based on the success of the pilot program, a second delivery of the Bronze belt with 18 participants was offered from October 2020 through January 2021. All 18 participants completed all three badges. Feedback from participants attests to the success of the pilot program as seen in the following excerpts: "A very good course and instructors. I have already recommended the course to a friend and I will continue to be an advocate for the course." "Teachers are very receptive to questions and it is a joy to hear their lectures." "I found the University of Houston course to be both highly engaging and incredibly informative. The course teaches basic principles of data science without being bogged down by the specific coding language."