KUCHING: The long-standing collaboration between PETRONAS and the Sarawak Government, especially in the education sector, has proven to be a catalyst for human capital development and community growth in the state.
Women, Early Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, said PETRONAS’ education sponsorship programmes have not only enabled bright young Sarawakians to pursue higher education but also created a lasting impact on their families and communities, particularly those from less privileged backgrounds.
“Over the years, this partnership has changed the lives of many families in Sarawak.
“Many students from humble backgrounds have successfully furthered their studies and later returned to contribute to the state’s growth – not only through PETRONAS but also across other sectors,” she said.
She said this in her speech while representing Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the ‘PETRONAS Powering Knowledge: Education Sponsorship Award Presentation Ceremony (APC) 2025’ here today.
What sets the programme apart, Fatimah noted, is its holistic selection approach which evaluates not only academic performance, but also co-curricular achievements and leadership potential.
“This sponsorship opens the door for talented children to access higher education, something that may otherwise be out of reach for many families, particularly in rural areas.
“PETRONAS is providing the space and opportunity for these potentials to be fully realised,” she said.
Later Fatimah told reporters that new fields of study, such as artificial intelligence (AI), are being introduced under the sponsorship programme to meet the future demands of Sarawak’s skilled workforce.
“This shows that PETRONAS is not only responsive to industrial needs, but also committed to the state’s long-term development,” she added.
She expressed her appreciation to PETRONAS for its continuous commitment to education and other corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Describing the sponsorship programme as a “game changer”, Fatimah said the impact goes beyond individual students to benefit the wider community and the state.
“The more opportunities we create, the more our young people will be able to benefit,” she said.
This year, more than 100 outstanding students from across Sarawak received education sponsorships under the initiative.
