KUALA LUMPUR (July 6): Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) announced the appointment of former Schlumberger Malaysia chairman and director Ainul Azhar Ainul Jamal to the national oil company's board of directors.

In a statement today, Petronas said the appointment took effect from May 15 this year.

Ainul Azhar holds a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Sussex, United Kingdom.

Upon completing his education in 1983, Petronas said he returned to Malaysia and worked with the Public Works Department as the lead engineer responsible for radar installations at the Malaysian Armed Force's military camps.

Ainul Azhar began his career as a field engineer in Schlumberger in 1984.

Over the course of his 32-year stint with the company, he served in various technical and managerial roles in Indonesia, France and Canada.

Ainul Azhar also held various senior management positions in Schlumberger, including corporate communications director of Schlumberger Ltd in London, as well as heading group human resource for Schlumberger WesternGeco and Reservoir Management Group.

Between 2010 and June 2013, Ainul Azhar served as Schlumberger Asia Pacific chairman, and later assumed his last position as chairman and director of Schlumberger Malaysia.

Petronas' board said it is confident that Ainul Azhar's knowledge and experience will be a valuable addition to the organisation.