[Group photo of SOP Refinery team together with students of UPM Bintulu]
BINTULU, 22 JAN – Sarawak Oil Palms Berhad (SOP) welcomed students from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), for an academic industrial visit to its Bintulu Refinery as part of its industry–academia engagement initiatives.
The programme featured an in-depth briefing by SOP’s refinery personnel, followed by an on-site walkthrough of the refining facilities. Through these sessions, students were exposed to the operational flow of palm oil refining, including processing stages, operational standards, and the quality assurance practices applied across the refinery.
The visit enabled students to gain a practical perspective on how academic concepts translate into industrial applications. By observing refinery operations firsthand, participants developed a clearer understanding of the link between plantation activities and downstream processing efficiency, as well as the importance of compliance, consistency, and operational discipline within a large-scale industrial environment.
Mr. Kiu Kwong Chiang, Controller Operations at SOP Refinery, said: “The visit gave students meaningful first-hand exposure to industry practices and a better understanding of the role of downstream processing in the palm oil value chain. We hope the experience supports their learning and future careers.”
SOP remains committed to fostering meaningful collaboration with institutions of higher learning by supporting initiatives that enhance industry exposure and practical learning. Through such programmes, the Group continues to play a role in developing future-ready talent and strengthening knowledge exchange across the palm oil sector.
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