KUWAIT: Petroleum Engineering students from the Australian University (AU) have achieved international recognition by securing 7th place at the prestigious GOTECH 2025 AI Hackathon II, held in Dubai. Organized by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) in collaboration with Dragon Oil, the competition brought together 123 participants from leading universities and institutions around the world.

Representing AU under the mentorship of Dr Mohammad Omar, Assistant Professor of Petroleum Engineering, students Manaris Morad and Fatemah Al Tannak demonstrated exceptional skills and innovation by developing an AI-based solution for Surface Network Production Flow Behavior Prediction and Optimization. Advancing through a rigorous evaluation process, they secured 7th place globally and earned recognition among the Top 20 Honorable Finalists.

Commenting on the achievement, Dr Mohammed Abdul Niby, Dean of the College of Engineering, stated: ”This accomplishment is a clear reflection of the dedication of our students and faculty. It reinforces our mission to develop future leaders who are ready to drive innovation and sustainability within the evolving energy sector.”

Dr Mortadha Alsaba, Head of the Petroleum Engineering Department, also praised the students’ performance, adding: ”We are incredibly proud of our students’ success on the global stage. Their achievement highlights the strength of our petroleum engineering program and underscores our commitment to fostering innovation, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving skills among our students.” This outstanding performance not only celebrates the students’ hard work but also demonstrates AU’s commitment to engaging students in impactful, real-world learning experiences that prepare them to thrive in the rapidly transforming global energy industry.