Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation’s (APU) School of Engineering (SoE) made global history as the first university to produce graduates certified under the WellSharp University (WSU) IADC Driller’s Surface Stack programme, with Lucas Chiong Ju Wynne, Maahika Kamal Malkani, and Muhammad Satria Raafi Irvia becoming the world’s first university-trained WSU-certified holders.

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Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation’s (APU) School of Engineering (SoE) marked a historic breakthrough in Petroleum Engineering education by producing the world’s first cohort of university graduates certified under the WellSharp University (WSU) IADC Driller’s Surface Stack programme.

Earlier this year, APU successfully secured accreditation from WellSharp University, becoming the first university globally to be formally authorised to deliver this highly respected, industry-driven certification.

This achievement reinforced APU’s strong commitment to aligning academic delivery with internationally recognised oil and gas safety, competency, and operational standards.

The programme was spearheaded by a dedicated IADC-trained academic team from APU’s SoE, comprising Assistant Professor Ir Eur Ing Ts Dr Harvin Kaur Gurchran Singh (Petroleum Engineering Programme Leader), Ir Dr Juhairi Aris Muhamad Shuhili, and Mr Muhammad Safri Basruddin.

To ensure full compliance with the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) requirements, the team underwent formal professional training conducted by Rely-On Asia in early 2025.

Following accreditation, the academic team meticulously designed and delivered an intensive preparatory programme. 

This included focused lectures, applied learning sessions, and examination-aligned practices aimed at equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of well control principles and operational readiness. 

The rigorous approach ensured that candidates were thoroughly prepared for the certification assessment.

All selected candidates performed strongly in the examination, demonstrating a high level of competency in well control, operational awareness, and the professional standards expected of IADC-certified personnel.

APU’s first-ever WSU-certified graduates were Lucas Chiong Ju Wynne, Maahika Kamal Malkani, and Muhammad Satria Raafi Irvia.

Reflecting on his experience, Petroleum Engineering student Lucas Chiong Ju Wynne said he had gained a deep understanding of primary, secondary, and tertiary well control fundamentals.

“It was rather challenging, as much of the content was not fully covered in the syllabus. Through this programme, we learned about various equipment, procedures, and calculations involved in maintaining stable well operating conditions,” he explained.

“While the level of detail required was demanding, repeated practice significantly enhanced our overall understanding.”

Another graduate, Muhammad Satria Raafi Irvia, highlighted the programme’s strong emphasis on safety and practical application.

“We attended lessons led by Dr Juhairi, which made the assessment achievable,” he said, added “We learned about drilling safety through correct well control procedures, and this certification strongly supported our drilling and well control modules.”

Meanwhile, Maahika Kamal Malkani shared that the programme gave her a strong foundation in well control, covering pressure concepts, kick detection, well control methods, and the operation of surface BOP stacks, alongside safe drilling practices aligned with industry standards. 

Although challenging, she found the training manageable and well-structured, with clear explanations that helped her grasp complex calculations and real-world well control scenarios. 

She added that “The programme significantly enhanced our petroleum engineering studies, providing practical, industry-relevant knowledge and an internationally recognised certification that exceeded her expectations.”

As APU remained the only university worldwide to hold WellSharp University accreditation at the time, these graduates were officially recognised as the first university-trained WSU-certified Driller’s Surface Stack holders globally — an achievement that set a new benchmark for professional certification within higher education.

This milestone underscored APU’s leadership in advancing industry-aligned education, strengthening academia–industry collaboration, and producing graduates equipped to meet the evolving demands of the global oil and gas sector. 

APU extended its heartfelt congratulations to its pioneering graduates and commended the academic team whose dedication and strategic vision made this global first possible.