IN AN era where technological advancements are reshaping the energy sector, PETRONAS believes that true innovation is primarily driven by the ingenuity and passion of its people.
When people from diverse backgrounds collaborate, they bring unique solutions to complex problems, fostering an environment where all voices are valued.
This inclusive approach often leads to groundbreaking discoveries and advancements that benefit society.
(From top right, clockwise) Norlelawati, Sri, Rahayu, and Liew, with dr NorFarah in the middle. Women now make up 29% of PETRONAS’workforce; 31% of them in senior leadership positions — A goal that was surpassed in 2023
Diverse representation has the potential to provide role models for young people.
Showcasing successful people from various demographics can dismantle stereotypes and biases, promoting a more inclusive understanding of capability and success.
These role models not only inspire but also mentor the next generation, helping to build a more supportive professional environment.
In 2024, there has been a notable rise in female participation and interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
According to Unesco, women make up 35% of higher education STEM students, with an increasing number of graduates transitioning into the STEM workforce.
However, there remains a clear underrepresentation of female participation in the field of STEM, which is crucial for driving technological advancements.
Research suggests that closing the gender gap in STEM fields has shown to promote economic growth, narrow the skills gap, and drive social progress.
“We need to break down the barriers that have traditionally prevented women from entering and succeeding in STEM fields,” says Malaysia Petroleum Management adoption manager Amelia Liew.
Dr NorFarah admits that her career advancement would not have been possible without the unwavering support of her family as well as PETRONAS’ family-friendly policies..
“This is not just about numbers; it is about creating an inclusive culture where everyone should have the chance to pursue a career in STEM based on their talents, interests and abilities.
“As Malaysia grows more savvy in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), women must be included to be at the forefront.
“Their inclusion in AI ensures that we incorporate diverse viewpoints that’s essential for responsible innovation, building equitable tech, and addressing potential bias at the developmental stage,” she stated. With a background in petroleum engineering, Liew is also passionate about the role of technology in driving a sustainable energy future.
Among others, she has played a key role in the adoption of an AI-powered digital solution for petrophysical interpretation, designed to remove individual prejudice and improve the accuracy of petrophysical analysis.
Sri’s (left) journey into digital technologies began with a passion for automating routine tasks.
Technical meets creative
Over the years, PETRONAS through its many success stories, has created a solid reputation for developing highly skilled engineers.
Today, its cyber strategy and architecture general manager Rahayu Ramli aims to help the organisation position itself as a nucleus for technology talent.
“My vision is to build the same space for tech and cyber security as the company embarks on its next phase of growth as a progressive energy and solutions company,” she added.
“Threat actors are relentless in their attempts to disrupt our operations – that’s why we need to make sure we have the capability to respond and recover in the event of attacks.
“It’s not enough to think like a hacker; we need to be several steps ahead of them,” said Rahayu, who holds a Master’s degree in cyber security from Johns Hopkins University.
Rahayu attributes her problem-solving skills to her passion for computer games and comics – both of which taught her to apply out-of-the-box strategies and critical thinking.
“There’s a big pool of talent out there – they just need the right environment and encouragement to hone their skills and grow.”
PETRONAS engineering manager Norlelawati Mustaffa emphasises that her keen attention to detail and knack for creative solutioning empower her to thrive under pressure in highly technical projects, including her work on the Kasawari Green Field Development project.
“The energy industry is experiencing a profound transformation, presenting an opportune moment for women to excel and make substantial contributions to the industry’s future,” Norlelawati noted.
“It is crucial to keep in mind the longevity and operability of whatever you design now,” said the Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) trained chemical engineer.
Norlelawati was involved in the conceptual design of the KasawariGreen Field development project.
Flexibility and improvement
As sustainability gains momentum, PETRONAS places strong emphasis on research and development (R&D) to drive innovative solutions.
Accelerating women’s role in R&D has helped lead to some breakthrough science by improving pace, scope and quality of innovation.
PETRONAS Research Sdn Bhd advanced materials (AM) researcher Dr NorFarah Diana Aba is a key figure in the development of nanomaterials and graphene-based technologies.
She led research into graphene-based additives for anti-corrosion paint, which significantly enhances the properties of base paints, providing superior protection against corrosion and extending the service life of the coating.
She admits that her career advancement would not have been possible without the unwavering support of her family as well as PETRONAS’ family-friendly policies.
“In the research field, long hours and intensive projects are common. To encourage more women to be in research, it is essential to create environments where they don’t have to choose between their family and career,” said Dr NorFarah, who obtained her doctoral degree from Imperial College London.
Flexible work arrangements, as practiced in PETRONAS, are crucial for attracting women into STEM and R&D.
As women often excel in collaboration and adaptability, this flexibility enables women to foster greater collaboration that leads to groundbreaking innovation, as demonstrated by Dr NorFarah’s success.
“In managing large projects, I often had to navigate complex team dynamics and technical obstacles, which require empathy to understand the perspectives of each team member and persistence to keep everyone focused on the long-term goals,” she said.
With empathy and perseverance, Dr NorFarah Diana leads teams to develop solutions that are both technically sound and strategically aligned.
Health, Safety and Environment Intelligence Pod (HIP) division HSE functional lead and advisor Sri Prathayini Arudra began her journey into digital technologies driven by a desire to automate routine tasks.
Starting as a novice, she systematically developed her skills, initially focusing on creating data visualisation dashboards.
Today, her achievements have expanded significantly, including her contributions to the development of a tool that provides on-demand information and virtual assistance to frontliners, facilitating the translation of HSE-related documents across various worksites.
A qualified electrical and electronics engineer, Sri attributes her seamless transition from engineering to technology to numerous internal PETRONAS training programmes.
Through initiatives such as Citizen Analytics, she refined her expertise in data management and machine learning.
Additionally, agile methodologies equipped her with an entrepreneurial mindset and crucial skills necessary for designing contemporary solutions.
Sri believes that others can do the same. “The pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong journey, especially in STEM, where continuous learning fuels innovation. Every new skill we gain not only enhances our expertise but becomes a powerful tool to break down barriers,” added Sri, who’s currently pursuing her postgraduate studies in AI at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
Building futures, breaking barriers
As the stories of these women demonstrate, commitment to diversity and inclusion fuels success.
Through initiatives like flexible work arrangements and leadership development opportunities, PETRONAS is actively creating a pipeline of future leaders – men and women – to effectively tackle tomorrow’s challenges.
This commitment is paying dividends, reflected in the growing representation of women at all levels of the organisation, women now making up 29% of PETRONAS’ workforce; 31% of them in senior leadership positions — a goal that was surpassed in 2023.
PETRONAS’ journey towards a truly diverse and inclusive workforce serves as an inspiring example for other organisations.
By investing in its people and creating an environment where everyone can thrive, PETRONAS is demonstrating that diversity is not just a matter of social responsibility, but a crucial ingredient for success in the 21st century.
