PETRONAS and Ernst & Young partner to develop Malaysia’s neurodiversity ecosystem

PETRONAS, Malaysia’s leading energy company, and Ernst & Young Consulting Sdn Bhd (EY) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the aim of collaborating in the development of the neurodiversity ecosystem in the country.

The MoU sets out the areas of collaboration between PETRONAS and EY to raise awareness of neurodiversity in Malaysia, promote and facilitate neurodiversity employment opportunities, as well as provide training and community support to selected organizations and academic institutions.

This collaboration is part of PETRONAS’s commitment to advance its Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) agenda, which includes the inclusion of neurodiverse talent in its workforce. The company recognizes the potential of these talents to bring new perspectives and innovative solutions in the context of the energy transition.

During the signing of the MoU, Farehana Hanapiah, Senior Vice President of Human Resources Management at PETRONAS Group, and Ismed Darwis Bahatiar, Director of Markets at Ernst & Young PLT, Malaysia, were present, along with senior executives from both organizations.

Farehana Hanapiah highlighted that hiring neurodiverse talent offers an innovative opportunity to address business needs and contribute to building the country.

In addition, he highlighted the potential of neurodiversity to bring innovation and creativity to the workplace, as well as to develop more inclusive and empathetic leaders. The collaboration with EY will enable PETRONAS to promote awareness and advocate for neurodiverse talent, building a more equitable ecosystem in Malaysia.

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For his part, Ismed Darwis Bahatiar expressed his satisfaction at joining forces with PETRONAS in their search for a neurodiverse workforce. EY has been working on neurodiversity globally for the past eight years and has delivered tangible results in terms of business benefits. Both organizations share the goal of fostering a culture of innovation and promoting sustainable growth in the energy sector.

The partnership between PETRONAS and EY reinforces PETRONAS’s commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and positioning itself as a progressive partner in the global energy marketplace. In addition, this initiative is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being, decent work, and the reduction of inequality.

With this collaboration, PETRONAS and EY seek to advance neurodiversity in Malaysia and build a better world of work for all by recognizing and celebrating the unique perspectives and capabilities of neurodiverse people.