Curtin Malaysia inks MoUs with Shell Sarawak
MIRI: Curtin Malaysia University (Curtin Malaysia) and Sarawak Shell Berhad signed two memorandum of understanding ( MoU) to facilitate significant collaboration in two mutually beneficial areas at Curtin Malaysia campus in Senadin last Friday.
It was witnessed by Curtin Malaysia Pro Chancellor Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan; chairman of Curtin Malaysia Board of Management Datuk Lee Kim Shin; Curtin University Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Andrew Crane; Curtin Malaysia president and chief executive Professor Jim Mienczakowski; vice president Shell Malaysia Upstream Simon Durkin; Sarawak Shell human resource manager Nur Azlina Mohd Yazid and Shell Malaysia senior manager for government relations Jonathan Jolly.
One MoU seeks to discover, develop and deliver new digitalised solutions for the oil and gas industry to improve business efficiency and cost, while exploring long term impact opportunities, sharing digitalisation knowledge and experience in oil and gas industry as well as create knowledge exchange.
The other collaboration develops academic exchange and cooperation in the teaching and training of Curtin Malaysia students through a 10-week Immersion Module spearheaded by Sarawak Shell.
The module is designed with multi perspective projects covering technical aspects, cost, political, socioeconomic, environmental and even novel ways of working.
Mienczakowski in his address said that the collaboration will enable students of Curtin Malaysia, to experience real work environment, build their critical thinking skill, communication and ability to work in teams.
“Students will gain a better understanding of success factors when delivering projects for a multinational company.
“I think both parties see the potential for collaboration in these areas,” he said, thanking Sarawak Shell for working with Curtin Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Durkin said with the MoUs, Shell will define each project and problem statement based on the level of complexity while Curtin will provide resources through industrial attachment of students or short term attachment of academicians.
He added that Shell is highly committed to develop innovative digitalised technology for the oil and gas industry through several projects which will be implemented later.
“This is not the first collaboration between Shell and Curtin Malaysia. We have enjoyed a long- standing friendship since the establishment of Curtin in Miri 20 years ago,” he said.
Among Shell’s social investment programmes involving Curtin Malaysia were Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ( STEM) Programme, Shell Selamat Sampai, My Geek Movement as well as active participation of Curtin students in Shell Malaysia Development Grants and LiveWire.