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PETRONAS offers sponsorships to deserving students via its Education Sponsorship Unit (ESU). ESU was set up to complement the nation’s effort in developing its technical and professional manpower in its pursuit of economic development.
Students who excel in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations or Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) examinations may apply for the sponsorships which will allow them to pursue their pre-university or undergraduate studies.
The overseas programme is mainly for those pursuing Engineering, Applied Science, Business Management and Economics. Under the programme, scholars will pursue their pre-university course (A-Levels / International Baccalaureate / Australian Foundation / New Zealand Foundation) in Malaysia and must excel prior to pursuing undergraduate studies overseas.
- prior to 2009 intake, there's Australian and New Zealand foundation available. Now, the new policy requires all OVS students to take Cambridge A-Levels(Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) and International Baccalaureate(United Kingdom, Hong Kong) only.
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) Programme
The UTP programme is for those wishing to pursue degree courses in engineering and technology at one of the most prestigious universities in Malaysia. Admission is based on excellent SPM or STPM qualifications. Under this programme, students are required to follow and pass the Foundation Studies programme (students with an STPM qualification may forego this programme) at UTP before proceeding with the Undergraduate Studies programme.
Local Public University Programme
The local Public University Programme provides sponsorship to student studying at any local public universities. The programmes will be advertised for respective universities for both technical non-technical courses. Potential candidates are to apply once they have gained admission to the universities.
- Prior to 2009 intake, there were also postings to branch campuses(Curtin University of Technology, Miri, Sarawak, Monash University, Sunway City, Nottingham University, Negeri Sembilan). Under the new policy, they have stopped sending students to these universities.
The initial application is online at http://spmonline.petronas.com.my/.
Use Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher to ensure good connectivity and smooth application process. Use of other internet browsers may not be compatible and some problems may arise.
An application fee of RM20.00 is applicable, which is to be paid to the Institute of Technology Petronas Sdn. Bhd.
Selected candidates will be required to attend the two days one night EduCamp, where the interviewing sessions and selection tests will be conducted.
The interview is divided into two parts, namely the personal interview and the group interview. In the group interview, candidates are divided into groups of four (prior to 2010 EduCamp, may vary according to number of participants), and are required to take part in a discussion. Unlike JPA interviews, participants are not expected to raise their hands before speaking. In the personal interview, candidates are expected to give out outstanding ideas based on the situation given (e.g. traffic congestion) and USUALLY candidates will not be asked stuff regarding subject matters.
There are three written tests, which consist of the English Proficiency Test (EPT) (20 minutes, 40 questions), the Critical Reasoning Test (CRT), and also Physics+Chemistry+Maths test (for science stream students) or Maths test (for art stream students) (PCM). The CRT consists of Multiple Choice Questions. In most questions, the candidate determines the sequence of the fifth picture after being shown the preceding four. The PCM test consists of SPM syllabus questions.
Terms and Conditions
After completing their studies, the scholar must report to PETRONAS at the Twin Towers within one month (for local scholars) or two months (for overseas scholars) from the date of completion of sponsorship period or after the final examination results have been released, whichever is earlier.
They must accept the offer of employment if it is offered within six months from the date of reporting. The scholar will then serve out their bond. If the scholar is not offered employment within six months from the date of reporting, then the scholar may be required to repay the loan in full within fourteen days from the notice requiring the scholar to make payment.
4. Educamp 2009 http://www.recom.org/forum/showthread.php?t=8278