Curtin Malaysia hosts ‘Borak-Borak’ career session with PETROS to inspire future communicators

Miri, Sarawak – 2 September 2024 – In an interesting blend of career guidance and industry insight, Curtin University Malaysia’s Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences, in collaboration with Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) and Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Business, hosted a dynamic ‘Borak-Borak’ career session titled ‘Navigating Your Communication Career with PETROS’ on 30 August 2024.

The full-day event offered a unique opportunity for 50 staff and students to engage directly with industry professionals and enhance their communication skills.

The event kicked off with ice-breaking activities led by Bachelor of Communication students, setting an interactive tone for the day. These activities emphasised the importance of communication and social skills in a fun, engaging manner, creating a lively atmosphere and building anticipation for the main events that followed.

A highlight of the day was the sharing session led by Joseph Balan, Head of Group Corporate Communications at PETROS. Joseph and his colleagues, including experts from various technical disciplines, offered invaluable insights into the communication field within the energy sector, sharing career pathways and industry trends. Curtin Malaysia’s own Corporate Affairs team joined the session, further enriching the discussions with their experiences and perspectives.

The event’s excitement peaked during the pitching competition, where three multi-disciplinary groups of students presented innovative proposals on the theme ‘Sarawak Circular Sustainable City.’ This was part of PETROS’ corporate social responsibility initiative aimed at encouraging students to apply their communication knowledge to real-world sustainability issues.

The winning team, led by Bachelor of Communication student Cassandra Sonia Thiyaga Rajan, wowed the judges with their innovative ‘Miri Space App’ concept designed to create a safer and more accessible public infrastructure for local communities. The team’s vision and creativity embodied the event’s spirit, showcasing how effective communication can drive impactful change.

The panel of judges was led by experts from PETROS and Curtin Malaysia, including Associate Professor John Lau Sie Yon from the Faculty of Engineering and Science. Their expertise and constructive feedback guided the students in refining their communication strategies, preparing them for future industry challenges.

The event not only provided the students with a platform to pitch their ideas but also allowed them to network with industry professionals and receive mentorship from experts from PETROS’ corporate communications team, Head of the Media and Communication Department Dr. Ngu Ik Ying, as well as lecturers from the Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences. The collaboration between Curtin Malaysia and PETROS reflects the university’s commitment to providing its students with industry-relevant experiences and enhancing their career readiness.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

Dr. Ngu Ik Ying presenting souvenirs to Joseph Balan and the PETROS team

A student team passionately pitching their proposal for the ‘Sarawak Circular Sustainable City’ challenge

Judges from Curtin Malaysia and PETROS deliberating to select the top team

A group photo featuring the pitching finalists, judges, and audience, capturing the event’s collaborative spirit