Partnership to collaborate in nurturing students to be industry-ready

PUTRAJAYA: Heriot-Watt University Malaysia has embarked on a three-year partnership with PetroEdge Pte Ltd (AsiaEdge Pte Ltd) and NrgEdge Pte Ltd to collaborate on nurturing students to be industry-ready upon graduation.

Key representatives from each organisation signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) towards this cause yesterday.

Provost & CEO Prof Mushtak AlAtabi and chief operating officer & registrar Janice Yew signed on behalf of the university while chief technology officer Mohammad Khalid and regional strategic partnerships manager Mohd Anas Asalem represented NrgEdge.

With the MoU, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia lecturers will obtain a 50 per cent discount on PetroEdge training courses.

Various volunteer and networking opportunities with industry players will be made available to students and lecturers, allowing them to gain a more in- depth understanding of the oil and gas (O& G) industry and enhance their skills and knowledge in the field.

The partnership encourages studentlecturer dialogue as NrgEdge provides a knowledge-sharing platform via online forums and discussions.

The students and lecturers will have access to NrgEdge’s digital learning platform at www.nrgedge.net/learning, which include e-learning courses, webinars and virtual reality modules.

According to Prof Mushtak, the partnership with PetroEdge and NrgEdge will bring great value to students.

“The 21st century has brought unprecedented challenges and opportunities, and for our students and academics to succeed and thrive professionally and personally, they need to adopt a continuously learning and growing mindset.

“Making world class courses available to our community electronically is an important initiative that will go a long way in supporting the professional development of our people,” he said in a press statement yesterday.

Mohammad Khalid from NrgEdge said: “It is our vision to help members in the energy, O& G industry excel at every point in their career’s journey by providing them with the tools to succeed - be it by networking or learning new skills. We want to be able to bridge the skills gap and prepare students for a brighter future in the industry.”

Aina Jais, a second year MEng Petroleum Engineering student at HeriotWatt University Malaysia said PetroEdge would help her gain an edge in this uncertain economic climate.

“I’m looking forward to using the platform to learn more. I have a passion for the petroleum industry, and hope to gain a deeper insight into the industry, and glimpse into a career that will shape our future,” said Aina who is also a NrgEdge student ambassador.

The MoU- signing was held at HeriotWatt University Malaysia in Putrajaya. The itinerary included speeches by Professor Mushtak and Khalid as well as a testimonial by Aina. It concluded with a group photo session and light refreshments. AsiaEdge is the holding company of PetroEdge, the leading provider of Energy, O& G training in Asia. NrgEdge is the professional networking platform for Energy, O& G professionals, focusing on the Asia Pacific region. The company aims to create a holistic environment that empowers members to excel at every point of their careers and help companies grow their businesses.

Founded in 1821, Heriot-Watt is a leader in ideas and solutions. With campuses across the globe, it delivers innovation and educational excellence in business, engineering, design and the physical, social and life sciences.

As the world’s first mechanics institute, it has rich heritage and a reputation as a leading research-led university.

Its communities of scholars come from across the world for a purpose - as leaders in ideas and solutions, they deliver innovation and educational excellence in business, engineering, design and the physical, social and life sciences.

Working with leading academics, their students learn and thrive in the friendly community of campuses with partners and online.

Their graduates are specialists who are creative, professional and globallyminded. With their research-informed education underpinned by HeriotWatt values, they develop character, leadership skills and social mobility, and are professionally educated, globally employable citizens of the world.

Heriot-Watt University is The Times & The Sunday Times International University of the Year 2018.