KOTA KINABALU: Aug 29, 2026 – More than 100 outstanding Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) leavers from Sabah have received educational sponsorships under the PETRONAS Education Sponsorship Programme: Memperkasakan Ilmu Sabah 2026, while 25 secondary school students received the PETRONAS Small Scholarship.
State Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk James Ratib, said the sponsorships provide opportunities for more Sabahan children to further their studies and develop skills that are in high demand by the industry.
“Education is among the most important investments for Sabah’s future. Human capital development is not a side issue but is part of the state’s core agenda,” he said.
He said this when delivering his speech at the PETRONAS Education Sponsorship Award Presentation Ceremony for the Memperkasakan Ilmu Sabah 2026 programme in Kota Kinabalu on Thursday.
He added that the demand for skilled manpower in Sabah is expanding in tandem with the state’s move towards a more diversified economy, including in the oil and gas, manufacturing, construction, energy, tourism, agriculture, technology, and digital economy sectors.
In this regard, James said Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) must be viewed as a primary pathway to produce a skilled workforce, rather than a second-choice option.
“When the government, educational institutions, and industry move together, only then can we produce a Sabah workforce that truly meets the needs of the industry,” he said.
Also present were PETRONAS Malaysia Petroleum Management Senior Vice President Datuk Ir. Dr. Bacho Pilong and State Education Director Abidin Marjan.
Source: JAPEN
