MARUDI: PETRONAS is taking concrete steps to bridge the rural-urban divide in STEM education through its Discover PETRONAS @School Baram initiative, reaching over 200 students in the remote areas of northern state with hands-on exposure to science and energy-related careers.
Held at SMK Telang Usan, the programme saw enthusiastic participation from students of SMK Marudi and SMK Telang Usan, offering them access to real-world Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) experiences that are often unavailable in remote schools.
The initiative is part of PETRONAS’ broader agenda to support education equity under the Malaysia Education Blueprint and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), targeting students who may otherwise have limited access to industry exposure and STEM resources.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala, who is the Mulu assemblyman, described the programme as a meaningful intervention for rural youth development.
“This effort goes beyond the classroom. It gives rural students a window into the energy industry and empowers them to imagine themselves as part of the future STEM workforce,” he said this in his speech at the event.
In the meantime, PETRONAS senior general manager of Strategic Communications Khairuddin M. Jafar said since its launch in 2013, the programme has reached over 30,000 students nationwide, and continues to focus on underserved communities.
“Through this initiative, we aim to nurture curiosity, encourage learning and ensure that no student is left behind in STEM, regardless of where they live,” he said.
Also present were Sarawak Education Department representative Zamzaitul Akmal Hisham Ahmad, PETRONAS Sarawak general manager Norazibah Md Rabu, PETRONAS Group Human Capital Investment general manager Ahmad Munir Akram Ahmad Faiz, and Marudi District Office representative Vanessa Joseph.
Students took part in hands-on activities and STEM demonstrations tailored to inspire interest and spark ambition, offering not only learning opportunities but a glimpse into the future of Malaysia’s energy sector.
