PETRONAS ILLUMINATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY TORCH WITH LABUAN YOUTHS, SPARKING INSPIRATION AT DISCOVER PETRONAS @SCHOOLS

LABUAN, April 30 (Bernama) -- PETRONAS today marked the inauguration of its 50th anniversary celebrations with a poignant ceremony, lighting a commemorative torch in this duty-free island. 

This symbolic act represents PETRONAS' enduring legacy and unwavering dedication to nurturing talent for the advancement of both the industry and the nation.

The ceremony, which witnessed the participation of 300 science-stream secondary students from 10 schools, served as the kick-off to the Discover PETRONAS @Schools initiative. 

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This day-long programme is designed 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. 

In collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MoE), Petrosains, and TVET institutions under the PETRONAS Vocational Institutions Sponsorship and Training Assistance (VISTA), the programme offered interactive career forums, informational booths, and hands-on learning experiences.

Among the highlights of the event was a career experiential sharing session by PETRONAS senior vice president of Malaysia Petroleum Management Datuk Ir Bacho Pilong. 

 He shared about the company's pivotal role in driving societal progress, shaping industries, and nurturing talent over the past five decades. 

Hailing from Sebatik Island in Sabah, Bacho is a testament to the transformative power of PETRONAS' education sponsorship programme, having pursued tertiary education in the United States and graduating with a Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas in 1987.

"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.

“By launching our torch here at Discover PETRONAS @Schools, we aim to empower young minds to dream big and strive for greatness,” he said in a statement.

The torch, one of two, will embark on a nationwide tour titled ‘The Journey of the Twin Torches’ - paying homage to places and events across the country.

Among the distinguished guests at the event were PETRONAS senior general manager of Strategic Communications, Group Strategic Relations and Communications, Siti Azlina Abdul Latif; PETRONAS Sabah and Labuan Regional Office general manager, Siti Ayu Abdul Wahab; Human Capital Investment general manager, Syed Mohammad Muhafiz Syed Mohd Bakar, and PETRONAS Chemicals Methanol Sdn Bhd chief executive officer, 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.

-- BERNAMA