UTS, PTTEP ink scholarship deal to boost engineering talent

Borneo Post

12-07-2025

SIBU (July 12): University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) has signed a landmark scholarship agreement with PTTEP Sarawak Oil Limited, marking another significant milestone in the university's development journey.
The agreement was signed during a ceremony at the UTS campus by Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Khairuddin Abd Hamid on behalf of the university, while PTTEP Sarawak Oil Limited was represented its Country Manager for Malaysia Asset, Padsakorn Suwanruji.
Speaking at UTS-PTTEP Scholarship Agreement Exchange Ceremony, Khairuddin expressed his appreciation for PTTEP's trust and partnership, which he described as being founded on shared values, mutual trust, and a collective mission to empower Sarawak's youth.
'On behalf of UTS, I extend our deepest gratitude to PTTEP for selecting us as the sole institution in East Malaysia to implement this exclusive scholarship programme,' he said.
'This decision reflects a strong vote of confidence in our academic excellence, our dedication to student development, and our commitment to nurturing engineering talent for the region.'
The PTTEP Scholarship, he said, goes beyond a typical financial aid package.
It offers a comprehensive five-year development pathway – starting from the Foundation in Science (FIS) programme through to a full undergraduate degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, with full financial support.
'What sets this initiative apart is PTTEP's commitment to prioritising scholars for job placements across its global operations – an exceptional incentive that will inspire our young talents to pursue their studies with determination and focus,' Khairuddin added.
As part of PTTEP's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, the scholarship is aimed at students enrolled in the FIS programme at UTS, offering them a fully funded opportunity to pursue engineering education and careers.
The initiative also aligns with the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) by the Sarawak government, starting in 2026, which will waive tuition fees for Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programmes.
'This bold move will significantly ease access to higher education,' said Khairuddin, who also briefed attendees on UTS's background and growth trajectory.
Meanwhile, Padsakorn noted that the agreement symbolised PTTEP's commitment to supporting Sarawak's youth and opening doors to a brighter future.
'PTTEP believes in investing in local talents and supporting them with world-class training and global exposure,' he said.
He emphasised that the scholarship reflects PTTEP's broader CSR goals, ensuring that deserving students, especially from underserved communities, have access to quality education and life-changing opportunities.
'As our presence in Sarawak grows, we are not only focusing on energy resources; we are also focusing on people,' Padsakorn added.
The ceremony was attended by several key stakeholders, including UTS Deputy Vice-Cchancellor Prof Dr Mohd Shahril Osman, Registrar Jimmy De Rozario @ Abdul Rahman, Student Development & Services Centre (SDSC) director Lu Yew King, PTTEP head of Malaysia Sarawak Asset Thakerngchai Sangvaree, head of GRC and Public Affairs Section Tengku Saifuzzaman, head of Human Resource Section Ratanawadee Bansit, and head of Capability Development and Employee Relations Anita Gomez.