KUCHING: Sarawak Energy (SEB) has earned prestigious recognition for its corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, securing a Gold Award at the 15th Annual Global CSR & ESG Summit & Awards 2023 in Da Nang, Vietnam.
The Gold Award was presented to SEB in the ‘Best Community Programme’ category in honour of its “Batang Ai Education Fund” initiative.
SEB Power chief executive officer Bunyak Lunyong in a press statement yesterday underscored the pivotal role of education in addressing today’s intricate global challenges.
“Education is the foundation of sustainability, and at Sarawak Energy, we acknowledge the profound link between education and a sustainable future.
“Our commitment to corporate social responsibility extends to promoting sustainable development by empowering rural youth through education.
“By supporting the education of rural youth, we are not only investing in their personal growth but also in the long-term sustainability of their communities and our planet,” he said.
Meanwhile, SEB Corporate Services senior vice-president Siti Aisah Adenan affirmed the company’s dedication to community development, entrepreneurship, and the education of rural youth.
“We aim to invest in and drive progress in the areas where we operate. We strive to bridge educational disparities in rural regions, ensuring that every young individual has access to quality education.
“We understand that a comprehensive education equips these young individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to address pressing environmental, social, and economic issues,” she added.
The Batang Ai Education Fund, established in 2018, seeks to enhance educational opportunities and socioeconomic prospects for young individuals in rural Sarawak, particularly in Batang Ai, home to the state’s first hydropower project.
Since its inception, the fund has supported 235 students from Batang Ai by providing them with a one-time incentive to initiate their tertiary education journeys.
Furthermore, SEB has launched various educational programmes and offered support to adopted schools in Batang Ai since 2013, such as the ‘Jalinan Mesra Peribumi’ programme, conducted in partnership with the Sarawak Campus of the Teachers Education Institute and local District Education Offices to conduct educational workshops.
Over the past two years, this programme has benefitted around 450 students across 10 schools in Batang Ai.
The 15th Annual Global CSR & ESG Summit & Awards 2023, themed “Driving Transformational Change Beyond Greenwashing”, took place at the Novotel Danang Premier Han River Hotel on Aug 27 and 28.
