We recognize education as a powerful tool for empowering communities and commit about 35 percent of our funds and resources to education programs yearly.

Working hand in hand with the Malaysian government, we focus on youth development in areas such as competency in the English language, computer literacy, inculcating the reading habit, promoting interest in science and technology, and introducing entrepreneurial skills. We also provide funds for university grants in the interest of advancing research and development.

Below are some of the key educational programs which have received our sponsorship:

English Language Competency

• English Theme Park (ETP) - an English language themed park aimed at making learning English fun, the ETP is a unique smart partnership between ExxonMobil and the Terengganu State Education Department. It houses both indoor and outdoor stations including fun-filled ‘rides’ like the “Vocabulary Shack” and the “Graffiti Wall” and a range of complementary resources and learning tools such as books, computers, audio-visual facilities, CDs and tapes.
• TERIC (Terengganu English Resource and Information Center) - a resource centre established by the state of Terengganu to provide English language teachers with a hub from where they can improve their skills, exchange ideas on teaching and take advantage of a range of teaching resources, workshops and language clinics.
• REDHA (Rural Educational Development for Higher Achievements) – a program aimed at improving USPR passing rates in rural schools within Terengganu, with a strong emphasis on English. The program was launched in 2002 beginning with Sekolah Kebangsaan Redang - by 2004 the school’s English language passing rates had jumped from 21 percent in 1999 to 95 per cent.
• ‘A Moment in English’ – Since 2002, we’ve sponsored the ‘A Moment in English’ program, a year-long initiative where students from Terengganu schools compete in a variety of competitions from storytelling and singing, to traditional folk performances like dikir barat, boria and rodat. The program aims to build confidence in speaking by encouraging students to use English in a fun and entertaining environment.

Science and Technology
We’ve contributed to a range of projects and events with a view towards developing an interest in science and technology among young Malaysians. These include our sponsorship of the UPM Natural Science Quiz and the Terengganu Science and Technology Awareness Program.

Computer Literacy and Skills
Our Computer Camp project has helped reduce the digital divide by offering a three-day computer-skills workshop to rural school children. Children of the Orang Asli or Malaysia’s aborigines have also participated in these workshops, and received computers from ExxonMobil for their schools.

Some of these camps are conducted in the National Library Children’s Hypermedia Resource Center which was established following an RM1 million contribution from ExxonMobil as part of its centenary celebrations. The center houses five activity rooms designed for interactive storytelling, science and arts and music lessons.

Research and Education
ExxonMobil has supported numerous science and technology related educational and research projects conducted by local universities. This includes funds for research grants to Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, and a partnership with Universiti Putra Malaysia on oil spill impact and tar ball studies.