BANGI: An initiative by Yayasan Tenaga Nasional (YTN) to find the cream of the crop students has been expanded to include students from Mara Junior Science Colleges (MRSM).
YTN director Datuk Dr Shaari Md Nor said 107 upper secondary students from 53 MRSM nationwide participated in Tenaga Nasional Bhd’s (TNB) Enriching Young Talent programme this year.
Students were exposed to what it was like to work as an engineer with TNB and got a taste of campus life in Universiti Tenaga Nasional.
They also paid a visit to TNB Integrated Learning Solution (ILSAS).
“We also have sharing sessions with former scholars on their learning experience,” Shaari said.
He said this was the first time YTN conducted the programme for MRSM students as previously the programme was open to students from Sekolah Berasrama Penuh (SBP), or fully residental schools, since 2014.
“By engaging MRSM and SBP students, we will have a bigger talent pool for scholarship selection.”
He said it was good to encourage a culture of healthy competition among students as this reflected the real world.
gn4id:29654945
“The role of an engineer has evolved with disruptive technology, demands for cleaner energy and new technologies like solar power.
“Technologies are becoming more efficient and cost effective, with smaller equipment and those that can store energy faster.”
He said TNB needed to think ahead about the future of engineering in its company and also its business growth so that the company could sustain and keep prospering.
“We want to reaffirm our position as the leading provider in the country by continuing to improve our business.
“They (the students) are change agents for TNB towards the new age of business.
“As the business landscape changes, a power company must follow the trend to avoid the trap of falling a step behind in technology.”
He said as TNB was a company that prioritised the wellbeing of human capital, it also wanted to have the best of minds, credentials and attitude on board.
“The selected students will have an upper hand because they already know about the company and will be given exposure during this programme so they would stand a better chance during scholarship selection.”
He said students would have a smooth transition from studying to the working environment as the company had a strong support system for them to adjust.
He said students were selected from those who were all-rounders at school, as well those who had a deep interest in engineering.
“We also want them to be active and involved in sports, especially team sports like football, so they know how to give and take, be a leader in the team and collaborate with each other.”
He said YTN offered full scholarships to study abroad so that students could have a global outlook and interact with people outside of the country.
“We want them to be resourceful. They can also study locally, but we will give them an opportunity to spend one semester abroad under the global outreach programme for cultural exchange.
“The experience will produce enrichment of knowledge when they mingle with citizens of the world and have network with people from other universities abroad.”
He said the change towards embracing new technology and continuous advancement needed to be done across the company.
“As we have a big team, it is integral that we move forward as one unit. We want all our workers to have a deep sense of pride to be part of this big family.”