MRSM Ranau Ready to Enhance Access to Quality Education In Sabah

KOTA KINABALU, 20 November 2023 – PETRONAS today handed over the MARA Junior Science College (MRSM) Ranau campus to the Sabah State Government and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), marking a historic moment in the campus’ development that will enhance access to quality education among students in the state.

The symbolic handover ceremony took place here witnessed by Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor, accompanied by PETRONAS President and Group Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik and MARA Chairman Datuk Wira Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

At the ceremony, PETRONAS Senior Vice President, Project Delivery and Technology, Datuk Bacho Pilong handed over a key replica to State Secretary Datuk Seri Panglima Sr Safar Untong, representing the state government, who in turn handed over the replica to MARA Deputy Director General (Education), Razlan Samsuri, for the facility’s operation.

Also present were state cabinet ministers, heads of government departments and agencies as well as the top management of PETRONAS.

The MRSM Ranau campus, developed by PETRONAS at a cost of RM132 million, is the result of collaboration with the Sabah State Government and MARA, and will be operational from March 2024, thus enhancing access to quality education among Sabah students and stimulating interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik said that the success of the MRSM Ranau project encapsulates the spirit of collaboration and shared commitment between the Sabah State Government, MARA and PETRONAS to empower human capital development through education.

He added: “The ceremony today symbolises a new chapter in our commitment to support the aspirations of the Sabah State Government in developing the human capital potential of young Sabahan talents to become valuable assets who are equipped to contribute to the growth and prosperity of the State. PETRONAS believes that Sabahan talents will achieve academic excellence towards delivering the State’s social, economic and sustainability goals, in line with the objectives of the Sabah-PETRONAS Human Capital Development Agenda (HCDA).”

Datuk Wira Dr Asyraf Wajdi said, "The result of the collaboration between MARA, PETRONAS and the Sabah State Government in developing this MRSM will create a new dimension for rural education that will bring benefits to the people of Sabah, especially around the Ranau district."

"We hope that the effort to develop this newest secondary education institution in the state will further strengthen the education system among rural communities, as well as contribute to the state’s socio-economic development."

With a floor area of over 26,000 square metres, the MRSM Ranau campus has the capacity to accommodate 450 students.

It is equipped with various facilities including administrative building, academic block, resource centre, student dormitories, student centre, dining hall, multi-purpose hall, pavilion, surau, staff residence, teacher's residence, ancillary buildings, and sports facilities that have been carefully planned to meet the needs of students, teachers, and campus management.