Petronas has spent more than RM295m in Sabah
Published on: Saturday, October 29, 2022
TAWAU: Petronas has spent more than RM295 million in allocations on various education and human capital development programmes in Sabah since 2010, said its Senior Vice President (Project Implementation and Technology) Datuk Bacho Pilong.He said more than 1.15 million Sabahans had benefited from Petronas’ human capital development initiatives as a result of close cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Sabah Education Department and other strategic partners.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Among them was the construction of a Mara Junior Science College in Ranau worth more than RM110 million covering an area of 26,000 square metres and capable of accommodating 450 students in an effort to provide a conducive learning environment and equip them with skills and knowledge.
“Likewise with the construction of a Rural Day Hostel in the hinterland on Balambangan Island costing RM4 million, which was completed in 2019, to provide better access to education to 120 students on the island,” he said.
He said at the pre-launch of the Tawau and Sandakan science centres at the Institute of Teachers (IPG) Tawau Campus, which was officiated by State Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Yakub Khan.
Bacho said the “Discover Petronas @ School” programme aimed to give exposure to students about future planning from the job opportunity sector, interest in the oil, gas and energy field and opportunities for education and skills sponsorship programmes at Petronas.
ADVERTISEMENT
“To date, 1,757 Sabah students have participated in this programme,” he said.
Bacho said the “Back To School” programme under the Petronas Foundation benefited more than 14,150 underprivileged students in the State since 2019 through the provision of new basic school equipment and personal hygiene kits.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Petronas Teacher Ambassador Programme, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, focused on equipping teachers with the knowledge, skills and thinking to become effective and high-impact STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) educators by 2030.
“Presently, a total of 103 STEM teachers have successfully completed the programme and recognised as Teacher Ambassadors,” he said.
Meanwhile, the existing Petrosains Playsmart Centre & Maker Studio in Kota Kinabalu received more than 1.13 million visitors from various ages and backgrounds since its opening.
In addition, Bacho said, Petronas also emphasised on vocational education and skills by sponsoring a number of skill training institutions through the Vocational Institution Sponsorship and Training Programme (Vista) which benefited more than 3,277 trainees from Sabah’s youth since 1995.
According to him, as a partner in Sabah’s progress, Petronas was proud to contribute to the field of education and human capital development in the State through scholarships, technical training and the establishment of education and training facilities.
He believed that many Sabah youths would rise to the challenge and continue to create excellence in the academic field with the existence of close cooperation between the State Government and Petronas.
“Petronas is committed to helping and supporting the State Government’s aspirations in empowering the field of science, technology and innovation (STI), in line with the Industrial Revolution 4.0,” he said.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
