Kuching: A total of 110 Sarawakian students received Petronas education sponsorships totalling RM28 million to pursue their tertiary studies at top universities locally and abroad. These students excelled in the 2024 Sijil Peperiksaan Malaysia (SPM) examination and were selected for the flagship Petronas Powering Knowledge education sponsorship from nearly 9,000 applicants based on their academic excellence, leadership potential, and active involvement in co-curricular activities. They will pursue studies in chemical engineering, petroleum engineering, economics, law, and other industry-related courses at Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) and other leading local and overseas universities in the United Kingdom and Australia.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sarawak Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah presented the awards on behalf of Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at a ceremony held today. Also present was Petronas senior general manager (human capital expertise) Akmal Niza Ahmad. In her speech, Fatimah, on behalf of the state government, thanked Petronas for their continuous support and commitment to developing Sarawakian talent. She highlighted that the relationship between Petronas and Sarawak is deeply rooted and that Petronas's efforts consistently demonstrate a deep understanding of the true value of human capital.
Fatimah emphasized that by investing in the education and development of Sarawakian youth, Petronas is helping the state lay the foundation for a future that is resilient, competitive, and inclusive. This aligns with the state's Post-COVID Development Strategy, which aims to position Sarawak as a high-income and developed state by 2030. She noted that the focus is on building talent and expanding opportunities across all educational levels, from early childhood to tertiary education, and from academic pathways to technical and vocational training.
Meanwhile, Akmal Niza stated that through the Powering Knowledge initiatives, Petronas supports a wide spectrum of programmes that empower Malaysians from various backgrounds. This is part of Petronas's commitment to investing in future talents for the company, the industry, and the nation. Since its inception in 1975, Petronas education sponsorships have benefitted more than 40,000 Malaysian students, including over 1,300 Sarawakian students since 2003.