The article discusses how to raise the skill bar for deep water explorations through academic-industrial synergy. PETRONAS, the Unversiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) has taken up the task of addressing the skill gaps in the OGE sector. In light of heavy foreign investment in the local market, UTP recognizes the importance of human capital development. With the enactment of the NKEA OGE initiatives, UTP is mandated to implement the objectives and goals of the advanced engineering science, and innovation discipline sector. UTP was awarded a 5-star rating by Malaysian Research Assessment Instrument for its research, development, and commercialization efforts. The Offshore Engineering Center (OECU) is a center of research under the DWT research group. The center was officially established in 2011.