BINTULU: Sarawak Oil Palms Bhd (SOP) underscored its commitment to industry-academia collaboration by hosting students from i-CATS Miri for a structured industrial visit to its refinery here.
The engagement aimed to deepen students’ understanding of the downstream segment of the palm oil supply chain, and showcase the operational standards behind one of Sarawak’s key processing facilities.
The programme opened with a technical briefing by SOP’s refinery team, giving students a clear view of how crude palm oil is processed, refined and prepared for market.
The session highlighted the quality benchmarks, technology applications, and operational controls that drive efficiency across the refinery.
Students later toured the facility to observe the processes in real time.
The walk-through linked classroom theory with day-to-day industrial practice, illustrating how upstream activities such as cultivation and harvesting directly influence product quality and downstream performance.
For many, the visit provided a practical appreciation of how the sector functions as an integrated ecosystem.
Controller Operations at SOP Refinery, Kiu Kwong Chiang, said the visit reinforced SOP’s long-term focus on grooming future talent for the industry.
“We are delighted to host i-CATS Miri students and share with them how our refinery operates.
“It is important for the next generation to understand the journey of palm oil from farm to final product, and we hope this experience inspires them in their academic and future professional pursuits,” he said.
The initiative forms part of SOP’s broader effort to advance knowledge sharing and build capacity across the palm oil sector.
By working closely with educational institutions, the company aims to equip emerging talent with practical insights and industry literacy that can strengthen the national supply chain.
SOP continues to champion educational outreach that aligns academic learning with real-world operational demands, reaffirming its role in nurturing a future-ready workforce for Malaysia’s palm oil industry.
