PETRONAS Awards Education Sponsorships to More Than 100 Sabah Students

KOTA KINABALU, 28 August 2026 – PETRONAS today awarded education sponsorships to more than 100 outstanding students from Sabah under its flagship PETRONAS Powering Knowledge Education Sponsorship programme.

The recipients, comprising 2025 SPM school leavers, will pursue studies in various disciplines including chemical engineering, petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, data science, psychology and other fields at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS as well as leading institutions in Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

The students were selected through a rigorous and competitive evaluation process based on academic excellence, leadership potential, and active participation in co-curricular activities. The sponsorship award ceremony was officiated by Sabah Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk James Ratib, and attended by PETRONAS Senior Vice President, Malaysia Petroleum Management, Datuk Ir Bacho Pilong.

In his address, Datuk James expressed appreciation to PETRONAS for its continued efforts in expanding access to quality education and creating opportunities for Sabah’s younger generation. “The progress of a state is measured not only by its economic growth, but also by its ability to develop a knowledgeable, skilled and competitive workforce. The close collaboration between the Sabah State Government and PETRONAS has created greater opportunities for young Sabahans to realise their potential and contribute to the state’s future development,” he said.

The ceremony also featured the presentation of sponsorship awards to 22 new trainees who will undertake the Diploma in Industrial Instrumentation and Control Systems programme at the Kimanis Petroleum Training Centre.

The programme reflects PETRONAS’ commitment to strengthening technical and vocational education and training pathways aligned with industry needs.

During the event, PETRONAS also awarded PETRONAS Minor Sponsorship to 25 secondary school students in Sabah for the 2026/2027 intake, further extending its support to students at an earlier stage of their education journey.

Introduced in 2023 through a collaboration between PETRONAS Floating LNG, the Sabah State Education Department, and Yayasan Sabah, the initiative has benefited about 140 students across the state, improving access to education for students, particularly those from underserved communities.

The initiative also recorded an encouraging milestone, with nine of this year’s PETRONAS Powering Knowledge Education Sponsorship recipients having previously received PETRONAS Minor Sponsorship, demonstrating how sustained support can help students progress from secondary education to higher education.

Datuk Bacho said he was encouraged to see more young Sabahans pursuing higher education and exploring opportunities to build a brighter future.

“Every student recognised today carries with them the hopes and aspirations of their families, communities and the state. At PETRONAS, we believe that investing in education creates opportunities for individuals while contributing to inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development.

“We hope each of you will make the most of this opportunity, excel in your chosen fields and, one day, contribute meaningfully to Sabah and Malaysia overall,” he said.

Since 1975, more than 40,000 students nationwide have benefitted from PETRONAS education sponsorship programmes. In Sabah, PETRONAS continues to implement various educational, talent development and skills training initiatives aimed at nurturing a future-ready workforce equipped with the knowledge and capabilities needed to thrive in an increasingly dynamic economy.

PETRONAS remains committed to working closely with the Sabah State Government and strategic partners to empower future generations through education, contributing towards a more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable Sabah.