Kota Kinabalu: A meeting between Yayasan Sabah represented by University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF) and Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) affirmed the need to create more graduates in oil and gas (O&G) in Sabah.
The meeting also supported the proposal by the Sabah Government for UTP to have a presence in Sabah and to collaborate with Yayasan Sabah, through UCSF, towards meeting this objective.
State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun had earlier proposed that UTP set up a branch in Sabah to hasten the creation of more graduates in the O&G sector.
Masidi made the proposal when representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor at the launch of the Sabah-Petronas Human Capital Development Agenda (HCDA) where he said the State is more than ready to discuss with Petronas over the matter.
He also hoped to see Yayasan Sabah take up the task of creating a proposal to be forwarded to the national oil company.
He requested Yayasan Sabah to look into the possibility of using the UCSF campus in Sembulan as a proposed site, since facilities may already be available there.
The meeting was attended by UTP Vice Chancellor Prof. Ts Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutralib, UTP Deputy Vice Chancellor and Prof. Ir Dr Hilmi Muktar and representatives from Yayasan Sabah/ICSB namely Douglas Joinol, ICSB Chief Operating Officer and Izharuddin and UCSF comprising Datuk Dr Mohd Yaakub Hj Johari, UCSF Chairman Dr Rafiq Idris, UCSF Vice Chancellor, Deans of Faculties and senior officials.
Dr Mohd Yaakub said a detailed proposal would be prepared by UCSF and Yayasan Sabah for UTP’s deliberation.
It would provide a broad roadmap and options to facilitate UTP’s presence in Sabah.
Earlier, Yayasan Sabah held a discussion with UTP to explore collaboration relating to the Penjana Training, STEM and Inclusive Social Innovation.
Dr Rafiq said he would work with the UTP Vice Chancellor to expedite academic and training collaboration activities to the best interest of Sabah.
