PETRONAS Reaffirms Effort to Nurture Sabah Youths as Future Professionals

KOTA KINABALU - 10 July 2015: PETRONAS reiterated its commitment to support academic excellence and technical skills development amongst Sabah youths with the presentation of scholarships and education assistance at the Majlis Anugerah Pendidikan PETRONAS 2015 held at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa here, today.

The scholarships and education assistance were presented by Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan, representing Sabah Chief Minister, YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman witnessed by PETRONAS’ Senior Vice President of Upstream Malaysia, Datuk Mohd Anuar Taib and PETRONAS’ Senior Vice President of Group Human Resource Management, Dato’ Raiha Azni Abd Rahman.

In congratulating all recipients at the ceremony, Datuk Mohd Anuar Taib said, “PETRONAS hopes to continue nurturing the right talents by giving them opportunities to realise their academic potential. Over the years, PETRONAS’ education sponsorship and assistance has benefited the company and ultimately the nation by increasing the number of skilled talents in various fields and disciplines in meeting market and industry demands.”

“Given our long-standing collaboration and the commitment from the Sabah State Government in intensifying education and human capital development here, PETRONAS believes that Sabah youths will rise to the challenge and continuously strive to excel in their academic pursuits,” he added.

Recipients of the PETRONAS Education Sponsorship Program (PESP) will pursue their tertiary studies majoring in petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, geophysics, finance, law, and other industry-related courses at universities in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Some of the students will further their studies at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) in Perak and other local universities. Under the PESP, PETRONAS will support the students beginning from foundation studies up to their first bachelor degree.

PETRONAS, via its Program BUDI-PETRONAS is also expanding its existing collaboration with MARA to provide sponsorship to selected students from underprivileged families studying at the three Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) in Sabah - MRSM Kota Kinabalu, MRSM Sandakan and MRSM Tawau. The students will receive yearly education allowances to pay for their school uniforms, text books, sports attire, learning aids and other basic needs.

Additionally, PETRONAS will also provide vocational training sponsorship for selected students from underprivileged families. PETRONAS is currently providing support to six technical institutions in Sabah namely Institut Kemahiran MARA, Kota Kinabalu; Institut Latihan Perindustrian, Kota Kinabalu; Kolej Yayasan Sabah; Institut Latihan Teknik dan Perdaganan (ILTP), Papar; Pusat GIATMARA Kimanis; and Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara, Kinarut under its Vocational Institution Sponsorship & Training Assistance (VISTA) programme. Through the VISTA programme, these institutions have been receiving assistance ranging from equipment, learning and training aids as well as technical support and advisory.

Commenting on PETRONAS’ contribution, Datuk Mohd Anuar Taib added that PETRONAS has been developing Sabah talents through its Institut Teknologi Petroleum (INSTEP) and later, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) to support its plant operations and industry needs since the early 1980s.

In his speech delivered by Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa said, “The state government appreciates the effort taken by PETRONAS in nurturing local future leaders. I hope the recipients will deliver significant contribution and be able to fill the gaps of skilled professionals towards the betterment of the nation.”

The national oil and gas company has a long heritage of sustainability and balanced development of communities in areas where it operates, via local talent promotion as well as social activities for the well-being of the community.

Issued by
PETRONAS Sabah and Labuan Regional Office