KUCHING, Sept 23: Petronas organised a three-day special workshop for 150 Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) Sarawakian students as part of its commitment to continuously support the development of national education and human capital.
According to a press statement, under the BUDI Petronas Programme, the workshop was held from Sept 21-23 involving selected students from MRSM Kuching, MRSM Betong and MRSM Mukah.
The Program BUDI Petronas is a collaborative effort between Petronas and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) to support deserving students studying at three MRSMs in the state. Recipients are given financial allowances annually to pay for their school uniforms, textbooks, sports attire, learning aids and other basic necessities. To date, a total of 285 students have benefitted from the programme since 2015.
Besides improving access to education, the workshop was held to further increase students’ interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Additionally, the workshop aims to discover students’ passion, maximise their potential, and nurture their soft skills, teamwork and leadership skills.
The programme modules was developed by Petronas’ learning partners namely Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), Petronas Leadership Centre (PLC) and Petrosains.
The workshop was officiated by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) Sarawak Deputy Director Wan Alwi Wan Bujang. Also present was Institut Kemahiran Mara Kuching, Sarawak Deputy Director of Academic Affairs Wan Jazlan Zuhairi Ghazali.
“Petronas aims to provide opportunities for deserving Sarawakian students to succeed in studies, which in line with its mission to contribute to the wellbeing of the nation and the people,” said Petronas Sarawak Regional Office Manager of Strategic and Engagement Department Rhymie Rashidie in his speech.
“Petronas also contributes towards educational and human capital development in Sarawak through the Petronas Education Sponsorship Program (PESP), Program Sentuhan Ilmu Petronas (PSIP) and Trust School Programme,” he added.
The national oil company will also be building a new Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) for technical education in Bintulu and a hostel or Asrama Harian Luar Bandar at SK Orang Kaya Muda Pakeri, Paloh.
Under its Vocational Institution Sponsorship and Training Assistance (Vista) programme, Petronas also sponsors youths to undergo vocational training at four technical institutions in Sarawak namely, Centre of Technical Excellence (Centex) Sarawak, Pusat Pembangunan Kemahiran Sarawak (PPKS), Institut Latihan Perindustrian (ILP) Miri and Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara (IKBN) Miri. — DayakDaily
