The 2025 award recipients together with the management of PETRONAS. —Photo by PETRONAS.
PETRONAS champions talent development for national progress
TALENT is the backbone of a nation’s progress and reflects its image on the international stage.
Recognising this, Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS) continues to nurture Malaysia’s human capital through its flagship Powering Knowledge initiative, celebrating and rewarding outstanding Malaysian students who embody excellence, perseverance and purpose.
This initiative also reflects PETRONAS’ strong focus on inclusivity and stakeholder engagement, ensuring that opportunities for growth extend across diverse backgrounds.
By recognising both academic excellence and potential, PETRONAS emphasises its commitment to long-term talent development that supports national aspirations.
This year, the company reaffirmed that commitment by awarding education sponsorships to nearly 700 deserving students at the Powering Knowledge Education Sponsorships Award Presentation Ceremony 2025, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
(From left) Jessmietraa, Tan and Aida showing their education sponsorship award certificates after the award presentation ceremony at KLCC. — Photos by LOW BOON TAT/The Star
Nurturing talent
Since the inception of its education sponsorship initiative in 1975, PETRONAS has invested about RM4.2bil, benefiting over 40,000 Malaysian scholars who have since become part of the nation’s professional and leadership landscape.
Many of these scholars now hold key positions within PETRONAS and across diverse industries, embodying the company’s long-standing mission to empower Malaysians through education.
For 2025, the programme attracted nearly 9,000 applications nationwide. Following a rigorous selection process based on academic excellence, leadership potential and active involvement in extracurricular activities, nearly 700 students were awarded sponsorships as part of PETRONAS’ RM319mil investment this year.
These scholars – the 2024 SPM school leavers – will pursue degrees in key fields such as chemical, petroleum, mechanical and electrical engineering, as well as artificial intelligence (AI) and data science and other relevant disciplines and emerging areas aligned with the energy transition.
Recipients will continue their studies at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), other top local universities and prestigious institutions across the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, China, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.
Inspiring commitment
PETRONAS senior vice-president and group chief human resources officer Ruslan Islahudin congratulated the new scholars while reflecting on his own journey that began with the same opportunity more than three decades ago.
“In 1992, I was given an opportunity through the PETRONAS sponsorship that changed the course of my life,” he shared. “It wasn’t just financial support – it was a vote of confidence, a belief in what I could become. That belief has guided me through 27 years with this incredible organisation and I’ve come to understand the true weight of that trust.”
In his officiating speech at the event, Ruslan emphasised that PETRONAS’ greatest strength lies within its people. “We work hand in hand with government, academia and industry to build a robust talent pipeline for Malaysia – strengthening science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and vocational skills.”
He added that the sponsorship carries profound meaning beyond academics – a covenant of trust and purpose. “The sponsorship you have received is not merely a certificate; it is a promise,” he said.
“With it come the dreams of your parents who sacrificed, your teachers who believed, your community that cheered you on and your nation that now looks to you with pride and expectation.
“You were chosen among thousands of hopefuls. That is no small thing – it is a privilege that demands humility and responsibility. This is your Amanah,” he highlighted.
“As you step out of this hall, imagine that you are holding a key. This key doesn’t just open a door for you – it opens doors for your family, your community and your country. But remember, a key is only useful if you choose to turn it. Use it wisely, because if left untouched, it will not only lock away your dreams but also the hopes of those who believe in you.”
PETRONAS human capital expertise senior general manager Akmal Niza Ahmad (third from left), together with Ruslan (centre) and Malaysia Petroleum Management senior vice-president Datuk Bacho Pilong (third from right), posing with some of the recipients of the PETRONAS Powering Knowledge Education Sponsorship during the 2025 award presentation ceremony held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Driving progress
Among this year’s recipients are young Malaysians whose stories of determination reflect the values that PETRONAS seeks to nurture – resilience, gratitude and a drive to serve.
Sharifah Aida Ameerah Syed Naimuddin, 18, from Kuala Lumpur, will begin learning a new language as part of her preparation to pursue studies in nuclear engineering at one of South Korea’s leading universities. The eldest of five siblings, she hopes to one day contribute to Malaysia’s clean energy transition.
“This sponsorship means a tremendous opportunity for me and my family,” she said.
“It not only eases the financial burden of pursuing higher education abroad but also represents recognition of my potential. My parents were overjoyed – it feels like a reward for their sacrifices as much as for my effort.”
To other students seeking sponsorships, she offered a message of perseverance: “Never give up, even when you face rejections. If we believe that we can get it, we will get it.”
She said the sponsorship opens up opportunities for mentorship, networking and internships, allowing recipients to learn new skills and gain valuable experiences.
For Tan Hock Lai, 18, from Perak, the sponsorship is nothing short of life-changing. Tan’s determination has been his greatest strength. His father is a retiree and his mother works as a hawker, yet their unwavering support has shaped his path to Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), where he is pursuing a foundation in electrical and electronics engineering.
“This sponsorship means a great deal to me,” he said. “It’s a turning point, not just for me but for my entire family. It lifts a huge financial burden and ensures that my dream of a university education doesn’t become a source of stress or debt.”
Tan hopes to see Malaysia transform into a developed nation where technological innovation and sustainable development create opportunities for all Malaysians and ensure that no one is left behind. “I would like to serve as a role model and show students that their origin does not define their destiny – they can still compete and excel in STEM fields,” he said.
He advised students not to hesitate when applying for sponsorships, saying: “Treat every assessment and interview seriously. Be prepared, be confident and present the best version of yourself.”
Reflecting on his motivation, he added: “Witnessing my parents’ hardships has been my greatest drive.
“Their resilience taught me perseverance and sacrifice. I want to honour their efforts and PETRONAS’ trust by becoming a future innovator and a leader who contributes meaningfully to Malaysia’s technological landscape.”
Equally determined is Jessmietraa Lekha Vinayagan, 18, from Selangor, who is pursuing chemical engineering at UTP. Once a student who almost failed her subjects, she turned her academic performance around through hard work and self-belief.
“This sponsorship means the world to me,” she said. “It’s not just financial support — it’s an opportunity to pursue my dream without placing a heavy burden on my parents. I’m really grateful because I get to show that I can achieve my lifelong dream of becoming a chemical engineer.”
She hopes more Malaysians will be inspired to dream bigger – not only for themselves, but for the country on a global stage.
To other students, she shared this advice: “Never underestimate your own potential, even if you’re starting late or facing setbacks. What really matters is determination and the willingness to keep going. If you have a goal, put in the hard work – you’ll get there.”
She also encouraged students to support their peers along the way. “When you help your friends, you’re not only lifting others up – you’re also learning more and becoming a better version of yourself,” she said.
For Jessmietraa, success means creating a positive impact on others.
“Success is making my parents proud and inspiring people to believe that they can achieve great things too,” she added.
The Powering Knowledge initiative remains central to PETRONAS’ human capital strategy. Beyond sponsorships, it represents a broader ecosystem that includes collaboration with the government, academia and industry to build a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals.
This aligns closely with the company’s Sustainability Agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which emphasises quality education and lifelong learning opportunities.
