Sarawak Energy investing in education, talent development

Sharbini (centre) presenting a scholarship to a student. Also seen in the photo are (from left) senior vice president for Human Resource Dr Mak Met, Lu and senior vice president for Contracts and Procurement Sulaiman Abdul Hamid.

KUCHING, June 21: Sarawak Energy yesterday presented scholarships to 70 students and 20 employees to continue their education in various fields of study. This was done during the 2019 Sarawak Energy Scholarship Awards.

According to a press release, the 70 students were selected from over 500 applicants this year.

The Scholarship Awards programme represents Sarawak Energy’s ongoing efforts to help develop Sarawak’s talents through an annual commitment of RM8 million.

Group chief executive officer Datu Sharbini Suhaili emphasised that Sarawak Energy believed in having a knowledgeable, skilled and competent workforce to enable the utility company to achieve its vision of sustainable growth and prosperity for the state.

“The greatest social investment for Sarawak’s future is in education and young people. The scholarship programme has enabled many Sarawakians to pursue their ambitions,” he said when addressing the scholars, employees and guests at the presentation ceremony.

“I would like to congratulate all the Sarawak Energy scholars. Always be driven to achieve your goals and be ready to challenge yourself anytime, even if that means stepping out of your comfort zone.”

Sarawak Energy’s Scholarship Awards recipients were chosen based on academic performance and leadership in extra-curricular activities. Priority was given to students who worked hard to deliver good academic results and did not have the means to continue their studies.

Since its introduction in 2014, some 483 people, including 68 staff, have benefitted from the scholarship programme, while 208 are still pursuing their studies.

Sarawak Energy also encourages its employees to continue developing into a high performing workforce and provides financial support through a scholarship programme for them to pursue higher education.

Sharbini exchanging documents with Wilson (second from right). Also seen in the photo are Lu (left) and Lau.

Besides the scholarship programme, Sarawak Energy’s other initiatives to spot, attract and recruit the best young talent include internship placement and campus ambassador activities.

The Campus Ambassador Programme is for Sarawak Energy’s senior management to establish working relationships in areas of mutual interest and to introduce students to Sarawak Energy as a future employer.

Sarawak Energy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus, on June 19 to establish mutual collaboration in areas of student consultancy, internship placement and scholarship.

Other areas entailed in the MoU include student sponsorship for research and development activities and staff development, especially in the field of engineering.

Sharbini signed on behalf of Sarawak Energy, while Swinburne was represented by deputy vice-chancellor and chief executive officer Professor John Wilson.

The signing was witnessed by Sarawak Energy chief operating officer Lu Yew Hung and pro-vice-chancellor Professor Lau Hieng Ho. — DayakDaily