Spring 2019 PEG

FOR COUNCIL

Swapan Das, P.Eng., PhD

Professional Highlights • 34 years of experience in the oilpatch and has mentored and trained many junior engineers • Vice-President, Reservoir Productivity Management, at Value Creation Inc., Calgary • Has his PhD from the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Calgary (1995)

Question Responses

What does self-regulation mean to you as a member of APEGA? Being professional members of APEGA we all work with proper due diligence, following standards of practice and applying technical skills gained through accredited educational institutions and personal work experience. Continued employment, growth, and customer satisfaction are indicators of our work as self-regulated professionals. Why are you running for Council and why do you think it’s important to serve in this way? I believe APEGA can and needs to do more for members. I have talked to many members, and I hear complaints that APEGA is a money grab and not focused on member welfare. I will raise this issue as a member of the council. If needed, I will strive to be elected to the executive—a prerequisite is serving on Council for at least a year.

What challenges do today’s engineers and geoscientists face? The technical challenges are the same, and in general professional members are self-driven for improvement all the time. It’s the social challenge on industry. Survival of Alberta’s industry is the key challenge. For members with private practice and others who need to stamp and certify their work and others’ work, APEGA membership is of utmost importance. Many practising engineers, who usually work under APEGA members, do not get much value, other than nice-to-have or for a situation that may arise. In many cases it’s not a requirement for the job. Having a P.Eng. on the business card should bring pride, which is fading away with all the lost engineering jobs in Alberta. In my personal discussion with many members the question that came out is, “Is it worth it?” What is the value of professional membership in APEGA?

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