arinasauki
Published on 28 November 2025
On 10 November 2025, the Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Oil and Gas students from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) under the Faculty of Chemical Engineering experienced a transformative learning opportunity through an academic visit to the Velesto Drilling Academy and the Institut Teknologi Petroleum Petronas (INSTEP) in Batu Rakit, Terengganu.
A total of 60 students participated in this experiential learning programme aimed at bridging classroom theory with real industrial practice. Throughout the visit, they explored the Onshore Training Rig NAGA 100, the Upstream Downstream Training Plant (UDTP), and the Exploration & Production (E&P) Workshop, gaining valuable exposure to drilling operations, upstream and downstream processes, production systems, and petroleum refining technologies.
The programme offered students a unique opportunity to understand the full oil and gas value chain while strengthening their grasp of concepts learned in Drilling Engineering courses. Demonstrations, technical briefings, equipment walkthroughs, and operational insights provided by trainers from Velesto Drilling Academy and INSTEP enabled students to connect theoretical knowledge with practical industry settings. This collaboration highlighted the importance of safety culture, engineering professionalism, and technical competency in the energy sector.
The success of this visit was supported by UiTM’s academic team and faculty units, whose guidance ensured alignment with curriculum objectives and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) initiatives. The student organising committee also played a significant role in managing the logistics and coordination of the programme. This initiative reflects UiTM’s commitment to producing industry-ready, globally competitive graduates who are equipped with the skills, confidence, and exposure needed to excel in the dynamic oil and gas sector.
The partnership between UiTM, Velesto Drilling Academy, and INSTEP stands as a strong example of academia–industry collaboration that enriches student learning and inspires future engineers to pursue excellence in their field.
