PETRONAS grooms its talent through educational sponsorships, empowering the next generation of professionals in the energy sector and beyond.
PETRONAS champions education to empower future leaders
AN organisation’s progress hinges on the breadth of its human capital development, one that prioritises talent excellence, brilliance and intelligence prowess. This underscores the importance of investing in continuous talent development to help an organisation realise its vision and meet business objectives amidst an ever-evolving landscape.
In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as outlined by the United Nations (UN) 2030, many corporations are increasingly prioritising the importance of human capital in ensuring business sustainability. PETRONAS is one of the exemplary corporations that actively demonstrates efforts to sustain human capital even in its early days, thanks to the visionary leadership of its forefathers who recognised the value of education — an investment that transcends generations and backgrounds.
From its momentous inception in 1974, PETRONAS not only collaborated with national leaders to ensure the sovereignty of oil and gas resource management but also contributed to the overall economic growth of the country. Understanding that to develop a nation is to build its talent, the company has introduced an education sponsorship programme to support the national agenda of driving development and progress for the future of Malaysia. Established in 1975, the sponsorship programme has seen PETRONAS investing a total of RM3.81bil, benefitting 39,000 students nationwide.
PETRONAS requires new skills to meet growing business needs, thereby developing highly knowledgeable professionals, shared Ruslan.
In conjunction with PETRONAS’ Golden Jubilee celebration in 2024, the company announced a total sponsorship of RM320mil for 600 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2023 high-flyers under its Powering Knowledge initiative. The recipients were chosen from a pool of 6,000 applicants and evaluated based on academic excellence, leadership potential and active participation in co-curricular activities.
The selection aligns with PETRONAS’ core principle of nurturing an excellent generation of society through well-planned education based on innovation and a passion for progress for the nation’s development.
The annual education sponsorship is highly anticipated, sparking hope among students to further their studies. The four students featured here are among the 600 recipients chosen this year and represent PETRONAS’ aspiration of developing outstanding human capital.
The selection of these recipients goes beyond academic excellence, also considering the standard of living and household income. This reflects PETRONAS’ commitment to strengthening inclusivity and uplifting socio-economic standards, in line with its goal of building a more equitable and advanced society.
The golden dream
For Jericho Jared Felix, 18, the words of his father has always been a powerful source of inspiration for him to achieve remarkable results in his SPM exams. Hailing from Kampung Langkawit, Papar, Sabah, Jericho has consistently excelled academically throughout his school years.
“Even though my father is just a truck driver and does not have a high level of education, he always reminds me of how important education is. He often encourages me to study hard and do my best in my exams,” said Jericho, the third of four siblings.
Determined to pursue his dream of going to university, Jericho proactively sought information about sponsorship opportunities. While in Form Four at SM St Joseph, Papar, he was introduced to the educational sponsorship offered by PETRONAS, which fueled his determination to apply.
'I worked hard to achieve excellent results in SPM, which eventually earned me an educational sponsorship from PETRONAS.' - Jericho Jared Felix
“I applied to seven different organisations, including PETRONAS, but was initially placed on the waiting list. Then, while studying Foundation in Physical Science at Universiti Malaya (UM), I received a call from PETRONAS informing me that I had been accepted. It felt like such a blessing,” he said with gratitude.
“The offer required me to transfer to Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), but since all the slots at UTP were filled, I was offered a place at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) instead. After discussing it with PETRONAS, they kindly allowed me to remain at UM and continue my programme there,” he shared, excited to begin his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering upon completing his foundation studies.
“What made it even more special was that this was my first time ever flying on a plane. I sat by the window and looked out at the wings of the plane, which made me think of Bernoulli’s principle,” he said with a smile, speaking about his passion for physics.
Engineering a dream
Among the fortunate students from Terengganu chosen to receive the PETRONAS education sponsorship is Muhammad Farid Latif, a former student of Sekolah Berintegrasi Batu Rakit, Dungun, and a proud Hafiz al-Quran.
At just 18 years old, Muhammad Farid speaks with humility and gratitude about how receiving the PETRONAS education sponsorship has fueled his determination to reach even greater heights. Currently enrolled in a foundation programme at UTP in Mechanical Engineering—a field he has been passionate about since childhood—Muhammad Farid is driven by a dream inspired by his father’s work as a mechanical engineering assistant at the Public Works Department in Kuala Terengganu.
'Being selected for the ‘Unlocking True Potential’ programme at UTP last year further fuelled my desire to pursue a career in mechanical engineering.' - Muhammad Farid Latif
“My interest in mechanical engineering deepened when I saw my father dedicating himself to supervising bridge project at Kenyir Lake in Hulu Terengganu,” he said, his voice filled with admiration for his father’s work.
“Moreover, the experience of being selected for the ‘Unlocking True Potential’ programme at UTP last year gave me an even deeper sense of purpose, fueling my desire to pursue a career in mechanical engineering,” he added, reflecting on the journey that has pushed him beyond his limits.
A dream beyond the farm
Fibocapillo Paing Pong was only five years old when he first began living in the dormitory of Tadika Nanga Kara, a kindergarten deep in the rural Pakan district of Sarikei, Sarawak. At such a young age, he learned to be independent -- doing everything on his own, including washing his clothes, even though he was not as skilled as his mother.
The lonely nights at the dormitory were often filled with the sound of Fibocapillo’s soft cries. He missed his father, a mechanic working far away in Papua New Guinea and his mother, who worked tirelessly on the farm every day. As a child in a low-income B40 family with a monthly income of just RM1,000, he could not fully comprehend the sacrifices his parents made. Yet, those early years at the dormitory shaped a resilience that carried him through to secondary school.
Driven by his family’s struggles and his determination to change their fate, Fibocapillo studied diligently.
'I want to share with other young Sarawakians and introduce them to the educational sponsorship opportunities offered by PETRONAS.' - Fibocapillo Paing Pong
His nights were spent with books and coffee, revising well into the late hours. During school holidays, he worked on the farm, feeling the weight of his family’s hardships, but using it as fuel for his strength.
“Every time I felt like giving up, I would think of my parents. They have always worked so hard to support me and my five siblings. If I give up on my studies, who will help my family? Who else can make our future better, if not me?” he said, his voice full of unwavering resolve.
Today, Fibocapillo has achieved extraordinary success, earning 10As in his SPM exams. The news of his accomplishment spread through his village, and the entire community celebrated when he received a PETRONAS education sponsorship to pursue a degree in petroleum engineering at UTP. From a small child in a remote village, he is now stepping into a new world, full of ambition and hope.
But for him, this success is not just for himself. He dreams of freeing his family from the struggles of farm life and giving back to PETRONAS, the company that believed in his potential. He is also determined to open doors for future talents from Sarawak, to introduce them to education opportunities that can transform lives, just as they have transformed his own.
Breaking barriers
In Johor, PETRONAS education sponsorship recipient, Sofea Aleisha See Muhammad Daniel See, is currently pursuing her A-Level studies in Chemical Engineering at Kolej Yayasan UEM (KYUEM). For the next two years, she is determined to overcome challenges and break the barriers set before her.
Sofea Aleisha shared, “Since I was in school, I have always aspired to apply for the PETRONAS education sponsorship. It has always been my dream to study abroad in a field I am passionate about.”
“Alhamdulillah, after working tirelessly and achieving 9As in SPM along with an A in Japanese language, I finally achieved the opportunity that I had longed for. I am grateful that PETRONAS has given me this opportunity and I am determined not to waste it.
'I hope that upon graduating, I will be able to contribute back to PETRONAS'. - Sofea Aleisha See Muhammad Daniel See
“My mother has always been my greatest supporter through every struggle and I truly hope this sponsorship will ease some of the burdens she has carried for so long,” said the former student of SMK (P) Sultan Ibrahim, Johor Baru, with a smile.
She added, “At first, many thought that girls could not pursue a degree in chemical engineering, but I believe that when someone is capable and determined, nothing can stand in your way - whether you are a woman or a man.
“This is something that PETRONAS has proven through their commitment to promote diversity and inclusion within the organisation. In school, we were taught to be leaders and to use our voices to show that women can stand shoulder to shoulder with men,” she added.
Sofea Aleisha also expressed that chemical engineering is far more than just working on offshore platforms; it plays a key role in many areas within PETRONAS, a company that has diversified its portfolio, beyond oil and gas.
“When I graduate, I want to give back to PETRONAS for this incredible opportunity. But more than that, I want to break barriers – if I can make it, I also dream of being a part of the motorsports industry,” she said, filled with hope and determination.
An all-encompassing sponsorship
The educational sponsorship programme is now more extensive than before, boasting a wider range of courses that meet industry demands and align with the company’s purpose statement of being a progressive energy and solutions partner enriching lives for a sustainable future.
”The number of applications received was very encouraging. Based on a thorough review of the selection process, which prioritises academic excellence, leadership potential as well as active involvement in co-curricular activities, this year, a total of 600 students have been selected to receive the PETRONAS Powering Knowledge Education Sponsorship,” said PETRONAS vice president and group chief human resources officer Ruslan Islahudin.
Out of the total, 200 students will pursue their education at renowned international universities including in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea and Japan, while 400 students will further their studies in UTP and other local universities.
PETRONAS chairman Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh (centre), Ruslan (sixth from right) and Malaysia Petroleum Management senior vice president Datuk Bacho Pilong (sixth from left) with award recipients of the PETRONAS education scholarship. The company announced a RM320mil sponsorship for 600 top SPM achievers under its Powering Knowledge initiative.
“The sponsorship includes a wide range of programmes in the engineering, digital and business disciplines such as Chemical Engineering, Geoscience, Computer Science, Law and Marketing to ensure scholars are equipped to meet the evolving needs of the industry and society.
“With its portfolio now extending beyond the oil and gas industry to encompass a broader energy spectrum, PETRONAS requires new skills to meet the growing business needs, thereby developing highly knowledgeable professionals,” shared Ruslan.
“This year is especially meaningful for the team as PETRONAS celebrates its 50th anniversary.
“In addition to education sponsorship, we are committed to talent development, which extends beyond initiatives like science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programmes, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), Discover PETRONAS@Schools and Vocational Institution Sponsorship and Training Assistance (VISTA).
These efforts aim to inspire the next generation and prepare them to face future challenges in the energy sector and beyond.
“This commitment aligns with PETRONAS’ long-term vision for sustainability and innovation, while developing future leaders to progress Malaysia,” he added.
To learn more about the company, visit https://www.petronas.com/
