UMP announces continuous collaboration with INSTEP in Process Plant Operation and Technical Education

KUALA NERUS, 19 June 2022 - A master service agreement (MSA) was signed between Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) and PETRONAS Technical Training Sdn. Bhd. (PTTSB) owned by Institut Teknologi Petroleum PETRONAS (INSTEP) at the state-of-the-art training centre in Batu Rakit, Terengganu.

The agreement marked a concrete collaboration covering areas in training, capability development and projects, in which the utilisation of the game-changing live training plant at INSTEP’s Upstream Downstream Training Plant (UDTP) is part of the value-added elements.

The contract between the two parties was honourably signed by the Vice-Chancellor of UMP, Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr Yuserrie Zainuddin and Chief Executive Officer of PETRONAS Technical Training Sdn. Bhd., Idris Ibrahim.

Also present at the signing ceremony were the Head of Marketing & Sales Division INSTEP, Mohd Asri Omar, Director of Centre for Academic Strategic Collaboration, Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd. Ruzaimi Mat Rejab, Dean of Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology, Profesor Ts. Dr. Che Ku Muhammad Faizal Che Ku Yahya, senior officers and guests from the industries, INSTEP and UMP.

Commenting on the MSA, Professor Dato’ Ts Dr. Yuserrie said that the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) had given a new impetus to educational transformation. It demands changes in the contents of education, especially in technical education.

“The strategic partnership between UMP and PTTSB started with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in 2016, followed by a mutual service agreement (MSA) inked in 2018, which saw the delivery of MSc in Process Plant Operation modules with experiential learning provided by INSTEP.

“Throughout the years, the MSc programme governed by the Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology has gained abundant benefits from the undoubted commitment from both parties through various meetings and workshops, information exchange, promotion initiatives, as well as hands-on training for the lecturers and enrolled students,” he added in his remarks during the signing ceremony.

Meanwhile, he was very grateful that the MSc in Process Plant Operation programme has obtained full accreditation from the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA) in November 2019.

At the same time, both parties agreed to continue with the MSc in Process Plant Operation Programme and to extend the collaboration in providing more training for industries including in the area of robotic technology, drone, and solar which UMP has the expertise.

Idris, in his remarks, said, “Our modules and programmes are designed to provide experiential learning at UDTP, with its ability to simulate real onshore and offshore plant environments. Learners’ problem-solving skills are put to the test, and the lesson learnt from the hands-on exposure will prevent errors from happening when they operate in live plants in the future.”

“In delivering our value of industry & technology-driven technical learning solution, we at INSTEP will continue to play our vital role in accelerating the competency development and customising training programmes, in line with our aspiration to be a progressive energy solutions partner enriching energy workforce for a sustainable future,” he said.

The success of this strategic partnership has nurtured a positive impact on the public, especially related to knowledge sharing and professional development.

It also focuses on several areas, including capability development and training programs, competency assessment and management, joint training courses, training facilities, technical, technology, personnel, familiarisation programme and software support.

INSTEP is wholly owned by PETRONAS, which has become an internationally recognised technical learning solutions partner with customers from over 35 countries and has produced more than 130,000 job-ready technical workforces serving in more than 30 refineries & petrochemical plants and 100 platforms globally.

Established in 1981, it helps accelerate Malaysia’s human capital development by providing access to education for local communities and supporting the needs of future talent pipeline in line with the PETRONAS Sustainability Agenda.

By: UMP Corporate Communications Division and Instep Corporate Strategic Division