Curtin and Shell in Malaysia enhance longstanding partnership with signing of MoUs

Miri – 11 May 2019 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) and Sarawak Shell Berhad (Shell) signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) recently to strengthen their collaboration in the areas of human capability development and digitalisation.

The signing was held at the campus of Curtin Malaysia in the presence of visiting senior executives of Curtin University in Perth and coincided with Curtin Malaysia’s 20th anniversary celebration.

The shared objective between the two strong players, who have a longstanding relationship dating back to Curtin Malaysia’s establishment in 1999, is to create an experiential, industry-led learning experience for Curtin Malaysia students, which is ultimately aimed at enhancing the marketability and employability of its graduates in this digital and agile age.

The first MoU focused on digitalisation and aimed at developing innovative and research digitalisation technologies as a means of improving business efficiencies, was signed by Curtin Malaysia pro vice-chancellor and president Professor Jim Mienczakowski and Shell Malaysia upstream vice-president Simon Durkin.

The second MoU for the development of an ‘Immersion Module’ to provide Curtin Malaysia students immersive industry learning at Shell, was signed by Professor Mienczakowski and Nur Azlina Mohd. Yazid, Shell Malaysia upstream human resources general manager.

The signing of the MoUs were witnessed by Shell Malaysia general manager for government relations in East Malaysia Jonathan Jolly and Curtin Malaysia deputy pro vice-chancellor Professor Beena Giridharan.

“These MoUs further link Shell and Curtin, with a commitment to work together to accelerate the development of young talent in the essential areas of leadership, communication, problem solving and digitalisation,” Durkin said.

“These are essential skills for the future of Shell Malaysia and the country as a whole. Leadership, communication and problem-solving skills are at the core of the new world and that new world will be digital.”

According to Durkin, digitalisation will involve a series of projects of various levels of complexity and through these projects, Shell hopes to create a knowledge exchange path between Shell and Curtin with the view of building the capability of future digital talents and developing a talent pipeline prepped with digitalisation skills. This, he said, is also in line with the of Sarawak government’s aspiration to move towards Industry 4.0 and in embracing big data.

He added that the ‘Immersion Module’ programme will consist of simulations of real working environments with challenges that will enable the students to understand the critical success factors when delivering a major project for a multinational company.

Professor Mienczakowski, meanwhile, commented that the signing of the MoUs marked yet another chapter in the exceptionally close relationship between Curtin Malaysia and Sarawak Shell which dates back to the earliest days of the campus.

He said the MoU on digitalisation was highly beneficial as it aims to explore long-term impact opportunities, share digitalisation knowledge and experiences, and create a knowledge exchange path between the two organisations.

“With our strengths in engineering, science and technology, and our excellent track record in research, Curtin Malaysia is well placed to support Shell in such efforts,” he remarked.

On the second MoU, Professor Mienczakowski said the idea of a 10-week ‘Immersion Module’ where Shell mentors will be assigned to help guide and support students during the placements with Shell is an exceptionally good one.

“It will greatly benefit the students, allowing them to experience real working environments and build their critical thinking skills, communication and ability to work in teams,” he said.

Among those present at the signing were Curtin University chancellor Dr Andrew Crane, vice-chancellor Professor Deborah Terry and deputy vice-chancellor international Professor Seth Kunin, and from Curtin Malaysia, pro-chancellor Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan, board of directors chairman Datu Ose Murang and management committee chairman Datuk Lee Kim Shin. Also representing Shell were Sarawak Shell general manager Jill Chieng, Shell Malaysia upstream external relations senior manager Jong Lee Fah and upstream learning manager Joseph Koh.

Simon Durkin (seated 2nd left) and Professor Mienczakowski (seated 3rd left) signing MoU while others look on. Dr Andy Crane, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr Chan, Professor Terry, Datuk Lee and Datu Ose are standing from 5th to 9th left.

Professor Mienczakowski and Nur Azlina, flanked by Jonathan Jolly and Professor Giridharan, exchanging documents.