KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) is eager to support Sabah in developing human resources for the fast-growing oil and gas industry.
UTP vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib said Sabah needed manpower to become a hub for the oil and gas industry.
"So, UTP would very much like to contribute to the development of Sabahans, equipping them not only with knowledge but also with skills," he said during a luncheon with the media.
UTP will hold the World Engineering, Science and Technology Congress (Estcon) at the Sabah International Convention Centre on Sept 10-11. The event is expected to be launched by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Ibrahim said on average, UTP accepted more than 50 students from Sabah every year.
"Our hope is that they will work in Sabah upon graduation."
"The university will provide a platform for the students, and we can work together with industries in Sabah to connect with them," said Ibrahim.
He said UTP offered engineering and technology programmes, and the oil and gas industry needed many engineers.
The university has also signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Universiti Malaysia Sabah and University College Sabah Foundation.
These MoUs were for academic development, joint research and human resource development, he said.