KUCHING: Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) will continue to work closely with MARA to identify and reach out to the less privileged students in Sarawak to complement the state government’s efforts in producing a skilled workforce.
Towards this end, the national oil and gas company yesterday provided scholarships to 150 students of Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) Kuching, MRSM Betong and MRSM Mukah at the launch of Sarawak Career and Training Fair (SCaT) 2015.
At a press conference at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), Petronas group human resource management division senior vice president Raiha Azni Abd Rahman said the 50 students of MRSM Kuching were present to receive the scholarships.
She declined to divulge the total value of the scholarships.
“It is not the number we are concerned about. We are concerned about the people we want to sponsor. We will work closely with MARA to identify and to ensure we are able to reach out to the less privileged students,” she said when asked about the total worth of the 150 scholarships.
Raiha added Petronas would sponsor these 150 individuals throughout their time at the respective MRSMs.
She said the corporation’s aim was not only to see that they complete SPM studies but also to further their higher education.
At the press conference, she said the MRSM scholarships were provided in recognition of the need to intensify academic excellence especially in science and mathematics among young Sarawakian students.
“It is hoped that this will enable students to progress to higher academic learning and become future professionals.”
To promote technical skill development in enhancing employability of youths, Petronas has the vocational institution sponsorship and training assistance (Vista) programme in collaboration with Yayasan Sarawak.
“It is also our aspiration to have more Sarawakians working with Petronas wherever our operations are,” she said, adding Petronas would collaborate with the state government to develop human capital for Sarawak.