Petronas, Microsoft ink MoU to advance digital transformation

• Focuses on digital upskilling, infrastructure readiness, business transformation
• Petronas Digital Academy to help close skills gap

PETRONAS and Microsoft Malaysia has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to empower the nation's inclusive digital economy and advance the nation’s digital transformation across the public and private sectors. 

The collaboration between both parties focuses on the key areas of “Digital Foundation,” which comprise talent digital upskilling and infrastructure readiness for nation-building, the companies said in a statement.

Also in the tie-up is business Ttransformation that enables delivery of value-added energy options, and technology-digital Innovations that support sustainability, it added.

The MoU was announced during the launch of Microsoft’s “Bersama Malaysia” initiative on April 19, which was attended by Malaysian prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

"The partnership with Microsoft underlines Petronas’ commitment to nurturing a sustainable pipeline of a future-ready workforce equipped to support Malaysia's digital economy,” said Tengku MuhammadTaufik, president and group chief executive officer of Petronas.

"As a progressive energy and solutions partner enriching lives for a sustainable future, continuous human capital development will be integral to our ability to operate and compete.

“We look forward to accelerating efforts in upskilling local talents, with a view to creating an inclusive digital future for the benefit of both the people and the nation.”

Microsoft’s “Bersama Malaysia” initiative supports the nation’s MyDigital goals to transform the country into a regional leader in the digital economy, the company said.

It encompasses the establishment of Microsoft’s first data centre region in Malaysia to deliver trusted cloud services locally, and to upskill an up to one million Malaysians and helping to create economic opportunities for the people and businesses in the digital era. 

Under the “Bersama Malaysia” initiative, a MyDigital Alliance Leadership Council has also been formed to collaborate on cloud-first and digital-native policy recommendations.

Petronas’ project delivery and technology senior vice president Samsudin Miskon, and chief digital officer Aadrin Azly, are members of the council. 

“No single company can close the skills gap alone. That is why we are playing our part, and we are committed in upskilling the workforce both within Petronas and the ecosystem, together with Microsoft, through the Petronas Digital Academy,” said Aadrin.

The Petronas Digital Academy, to be established in the near future, covers both digital foundations and technical disciplines for employees as a start.