MARUDI — Over 200 students from SMK Marudi and SMK Telang Usan engaged in hands-on STEM activities during PETRONAS’ “Discover PETRONAS Program @School Baram” on Monday, marking a significant push to ignite rural interest in science and technology careers.
Held at SMK Telang Usan Hall, the initiative aligns with Malaysia’s Education Development Plan and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Datuk Gerawat Gala, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department and Mulu Assemblyman, commended PETRONAS for its interactive approach: “This empowers rural youth to build competitive futures while advancing STEM literacy.”
PETRONAS Group Senior General Manager Khairuddin M. Jafar highlighted the program’s national impact: “Since 2013, we’ve reached 30,000 students. Our goal is to spark curiosity and develop talent for Malaysia’s energy transition.” Attendees witnessed live STEM demonstrations linking classroom theory to oil/gas industry applications.
Government representatives present included Sarawak Education Department’s Zamzaitul Akmal Hisham Ahmad and PETRONAS Sarawak GM Norazibah Md Rabu. The event featured career exploration sessions, emphasizing future opportunities in Sarawak’s evolving energy sector.
