Petronas lights up 50th anniversary torch with Labuan youth
LABUAN: Petronas on Tuesday inaugurated its 50th anniversary celebrations with the ignition of a commemorative torch amid cheers and applause from secondary school students, here, symbolising the continued legacy and commitment in building talents for progress of the industry and nation.
The ceremony took place at the start of the Discover Petronas @ Schools, a one-day programme which aims to encourage secondary school students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) by highlighting the diverse career paths across the oil, gas and energy sectors.
The programme, which also aims at providing information on Petronas’ education sponsorship, featured interactive career forums and booths, as well as experimental learning in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Petrosains and TVET institutions under the Petronas Vocational Institutions Sponsorship & Training
Assistance (VISTA).
Among the highlights of the event was a career experiential sharing by Petronas Senior Vice President of Malaysia Petroleum Management Datuk Ir Bacho Pilong, during which he spoke on the company’s pivotal role in driving societal progress, shaping industries, and nurturing talent over the past five decades.
“Our 50th anniversary is not just about celebrating a milestone of achievements but a reaffirmation of our commitment to cultivating the potential of tomorrow’s leaders,” said Bacho, who hails from Sebatik Island in Sabah, and one of those who benefitted from the Petronas education sponsorship programme.
Under the sponsorship, Bacho was offered to pursue tertiary education in the United States. He graduated with a Degree in Chemical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin in 1987.
Bacho added, “By launching our torch here at Discover Petronas @Schools, we aim to empower young minds to dream big and strive for greatness.”
The torch, one of two, will be taken on a nationwide tour titled “The Journey of the Twin Torches” -- paying homage to places and events across the country.
Also present at the event were Petronas Senior General Manager of Strategic Communications, Group Strategic Relations and Communications, Siti Azlina Abdul Latif; General Manager of Petronas Sabah and Labuan Regional Office, Siti Ayu Abdul Wahab; General Manager of Human Capital Investment, Syed Mohammad Muhafiz Syed Mohd Bakar, and Chief Executive Officer of Petronas Chemicals Methanol Sdn Bhd, Hiffani Mohd Jalil.
The second torch will be ignited at Malaysian Refining Company Sdn Bhd in Melaka on May 2, commencing its own journey along a separate route before converging with its counterpart at the culmination of the homecoming journey in Kuala Lumpur during the Petronas 50th Anniversary celebration on Aug 17.