Denver Law Student Robert N. Miller II Wins Academic Scholarship From the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators

Second year Denver Law student Robert N. Miller II has been awarded an academic scholarship by the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN).

AIPN is an independent not-for-profit professional membership association that supports international energy negotiators around the world and enhances their effectiveness and professionalism in the international energy community. It is composed of more than 3,300 members in more than 80 countries, representing numerous international oil and gas companies, host governments, law firms and academic institutions.

Mr. Miller is currently working in the oil and gas industry while attending law school. In a letter to the AIPN scholarship committee, Mr. Miller said, "I understand the field of international petroleum negotiation is extremely important to global stability. I am hopeful that my hard work, and determination, paired with the support of the AIPN, will assist me in becoming a successful international petroleum negotiator."

Alex Aidaghese, Current LLM Student, is Selected as 2011 Winner of the AIPN Scholarship; Will Travel to San Antonio for AIPN Spring Conference

Alex Aidaghese, a University of Denver Sturm College of Law student, has won a highly sought after scholarship from the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators to attend the group's 2011 Spring Conference in San Antonio.

Mr. Aidaghese obtained his Bachelor of Law from Edo State University in Nigeria and is currently pursuing an LLM in Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy. Mr. Aidaghese is also one of the spring 2011 winners of the prestigious Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Scholarship. Mr. Aidaghese has worked for the Office of the Edo State Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources as well as several New Jersey and New York law firms.

In his application to the AIPN scholarship, Mr. Aidaghese noted that, “An update on recent development in West Africa deep-water oil and gas exploration is one of the major papers at the conference. Winning the scholarship would provide me a huge opportunity to have firsthand knowledge of the latest developments in the region. I would be able to meet, network and interact with the major players in the petroleum industry who are presently engaged in exploration activities in Sub Sahara Africa, as well as those who might be willing to invest in the region, but need further education with respect to existing investment climate."

Lucy Daberkow, Associate Administrative Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law & Policy Graduate Programs, said, “Alex is an accomplished attorney who is a true asset to our LLM program. His commitment to energy issues in Africa and his choice of course work in his LLM program made him the ideal candidate for this AIPN scholarship opportunity.”

Editor's note: In the above picture, Don Smith, director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law & Policy program is on the left, Mr. Aidaghese is in the middle, and Ms. Daberkow is on the right.

Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN) Announces Two Major Scholarship Programs That are Available to Sturm College of Law Students

The Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN) has announced two important scholarship programs that are open to University of Denver Sturm College of Law full-time students.

The AIPN was founded in 1981 to enhance the professionalism of cross-border energy negotiators throughout the world. It is now composed of more than 2,900 members in more than 80 countries, representing numerous international oil and gas companies, host governments, law firms and academic institutions.

The winner of the first program, the Student Outreach Program, will receive a fully paid trip and registration to the AIPN Spring Conference April 13-15, 2011, in San Antonio, Texas. Please click here to see the conference brochure. Students with a focus or serious interest in oil and gas law and policy are encouraged to apply for the scholarship. Applicants should submit a one-page explanation about how they would benefit from attending the conference. Applications, which must be received by February 28, should be e-mailed to Lucy Daberkow by clicking here.

The second program is the Student Scholarship Program, which underwrites eight scholarships in the amount of $5,000 each. These scholarships will be awarded for the academic year beginning with the fall 2011 semester. For more information about the Student Scholarship Program, please click here. An application form is available by clicking here and the reference form can be accessed by clicking here. Applications must be submitted to AIPN by June 1, 2011, and applicants will be notified of results on or about July 15, 2011.

Don C. Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program, said, "The University of Denver is privileged to be one of the select universities that the AIPN has chosen to participate in these programs. Among the universities that are involved include institutions in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Europe, Qatar, and the U.S. These programs represent excellent opportunities to students to learn more about the AIPN, one of the premier organizations of its kind in the world."

For more information about the scholarship programs, please contact Mr. Smith by clicking here.

The AIPN also has a student membership, which is available for $25. To access the AIPN Student Memberships Benefits brochure, please click here.