Students showing their new scientific calculators.
KOTA KINABALU: PETRONAS stepped forward to help a secondary school teacher realise her dream of providing her students with scientific calculators to help them learn science and mathematics.
Suriantika Zainuddin, a teacher from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Taun Gusi 1 in Kota Belud, is said to have often told her students that if she were rich, she would get them all the calculators they needed for their math and science subjects.
Through PETRONAS’ 50 Dreams initiative, the global energy group donated 100 sets of scientific calculators to the school.
“Mathematics is becoming more difficult these days, and it is even harder to teach if students do not have the right tools,” said Suriantika in a statement issued by PETRONAS on Saturday (Nov 9).
She said that with modern calculators, students struggling with science and mathematics could tackle complex questions as long as they master the tool.
PETRONAS also organised a one-day mathematics workshop for the school’s Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidates.
The workshop featured Sabah’s top mathematics teachers, Zulkifle Mohamad and Wirda Diyana Wan Ibrahim.
Meanwhile, PETRONAS Sabah and Labuan Regional Office General Manager Siti Ayu Abdul Wahab said the organisation was moved by teachers' dedication to support their students.
“We are thankful to Suriantika for highlighting this to us. Every challenge can be overcome when we come together. We support this wholeheartedly as it aligns with our commitment to advancing STEM education,” she said.
She said the initiative not only highlighted PETRONAS's commitment to empowering local communities but also reinforced the spirit of unity that was so deeply embedded in Malaysian culture.
“We look out for one another to ensure that no matter where someone comes from, they have the opportunity to flourish,” said Siti.
“It is through such collective efforts that Malaysians continue to support one another, helping students and communities reach their full potential,” she said.
PETRONAS 50 Dreams is among the programmes planned for the company’s 50th anniversary this year.
Under this campaign, PETRONAS seeks to fulfil 50 dreams of those in need throughout the festive seasons.
“In Sabah, besides supporting Suriantika’s dream, PETRONAS has helped fulfil the aspirations of three other individuals,” said Siti.
These include a 10-year-old girl with ovarian cancer who wished to celebrate her birthday with her family by the beach, a woman from Kampung Sonsogon Magandai Kota Marudu district who hoped to upgrade a village library into a classroom, and a Mount Kinabalu porter who dreamt of obtaining equipment for their hostel in Panalaban which also serves mountain guides at Malaysia’s highest peak.
