PETRONAS gives 120 Sabah students exposure to career paths in oil and gas

KOTA KINABALU: Some 120 students in Sabah’s northern Kota Marudu were introduced to ways in which science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) could set their career paths in the oil and gas sector.

The Forms Three and Four students from seven schools in the district were given the opportunity through the Discover PETRONAS @ Schools (DPS) series as part of the national oil company’s efforts to create awareness among students on how STEM subjects could unlock diverse career paths.

The participating schools were SMK Kota Marudu 1, SMK Kota Marudu 2, SMK Bandau, SMK Bekongan, SMK Langkon, SMK Tandek, and SMK Tandek 2.

According to a statement by PETRONAS, young professional Sabahans working with PETRONAS gave talks on STEM subjects as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses that opened up career paths in the sector.

For SMK Bandau’s Yong Siew Fook, 16, the programme was an “eye-opener” on education sponsorship and career opportunities at PETRONAS.

“The segment inspired and motivated me. It ignited my aspiration to someday become a part of PETRONAS. I also gained valuable insights into the diverse sectors the company encompasses,” she said.

Ally Marrycilla Jules, 16, from SMK Kota Marudu, felt that the programme helped her expand her knowledge beyond the curriculum.

“Through DPS, I learned exciting new things that weren’t covered in class. The hands-on approach made the learning experience even more engaging,” she added.

A teacher with SMK Langkon, Anira Nur Izzaty Ebin Abdullah, found the programme to be effective in showcasing the wide variety of career opportunities in the industry.

“DPS showed the incredible variety of job fields within PETRONAS, dispelling the notion that job opportunities are just in oil and gas. The Petrosains segment was fantastic for showcasing various scientific aspects covered by the company,” she said.

This DPS programme in Kota Marudu last month was the first in Sabah for the year. A similar programme was held in Pitas district in December.

To date, the DPS programme has reached out to over 26,000 students and teachers nationwide as part of PETRONAS’ effort to nurture future talents in the energy sector.