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By Shikin Louis
KUALA LUMPUR, June 26: SEDC Energy has its eyes set on providing industrial exposure and carrying out talks in schools to stimulate the ‘new energy’ ecosystem in Sarawak among the youths.
SEDC Energy chief executive officer Robert Hardin said the company had already established a specific strategy targeting young adults and another for young school children and teenagers.
“For young adults, we collaborate with all local institutions by providing a platform for proper industrial exposure. This includes hands-on industrial training, knowledge sharing of the technology we have with educators and students, and extensive collaborative research.
“Take our recently announced algae project as an example, where we have brought local communities to visit and understand the technology and concept,” he said when giving a talk on ‘Synergistic Partnerships for Community Empowerment: Maximising Impact and Sustainable Change’ at Energy Asia 2023 conference held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here today.
For young school children and teenagers, Robert said SEDC Energy employs engagements through school talks and gatherings, which helps develops and inculcate early interests and improved awareness.
“We even go to schools in remote areas to engage with the young students, and we hope they are able to envision themselves contributing to the ‘New Energy Economy’ (Sarawak’s agenda) when they have completed their studies,” he added.
Nevertheless, he noted that in any new transitional phase, there are, of course, challenges which the company is also facing in its operations, such as the lack of information and references, limited access to financing and resources, as well as regulatory and policy challenges.
Such challenges will indeed hamper and delay SEDC Energy’s long-term goals in helping Sarawak achieve a sustainable and green economy.
Thus, the company’s counterattack measures are through building relationships based on trust and mutual understanding, holding regular engagements and having open communication channels, which will indeed help to guide any misaligned goals and interests between partners and the community.
“By clearly defining roles, responsibilities and expectations, any limitation in resources, either from manpower or financial, can be easily resolved.
“Last and most importantly, as an organisation which deals with a multitude of companies and communities, regular communication and networking to understand each other’s way of working and values are key to overcome any cultural or organisational differences,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
