In understanding the dynamic nature of persistent security challenges affecting the region’s development agendas, peace, prosperity and stability, a strategic, holistic and cross-pillar response is required to mitigate the impact.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof said this during a certificate presentation for 35 local and international military officers for completing the 13th Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Command and Staff Course (CSC) during the closing ceremony at the Defence Academy RBAF (DA RBAF) yesterday.
The minister also stressed the important role of defence policy towards building effective military capabilities to fulfil operational requirements, concurrently supporting the whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach as outlined in the Defence White Paper 2021.
He also underscored the importance of CSC in equipping graduates with military knowledge, operational skills, and security insights to improve their skill sets as they assume higher appointments. CSC further serves as an avenue for knowledge sharing, professional development, and enhancement of defence diplomacy with the participation of 16 foreign military officers from 14 countries.
The 13th RBAF CSC officers comprised RBAF and Royal Brunei Police Force as well as 16 international participants from Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Jordan, South Korea, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand and the United States (US).
This year’s CSC witnessed four recognition awards to the course participants. The Overall Excellence Award went to Major Andrew Keith from the US Air Force, presented by the minister.
This was followed by the presentation of the RBAF Commendation’s Award by RBAF Commander and the Academic Excellence Award by the Assistant Vice-Chancellor to Major Ernest Chin Jun Hao from the Singapore Air Force.
Meanwhile, the Commander’s Award was given to Lieutenant Commander Mohd Hydzir Zuhdi bin Haji Sulaiman, RBN from Commandant of the DA RBAF Colonel Pengiran Sharifuddin bin Pengiran Haji Yusof.
Course participants who met the criteria of the programme were awarded the post-nominal “passed staff college (joint)” [‘psc (j)’] by the DA RBAF and the Graduate Diploma in Defence and Security Studies by Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) with an opportunity to pursue the Master of Defence and Security Studies at UBD.
The 40-week course, delivered in partnership with UBD, aimed to broaden the officers’ perspectives and professional expertise using practical and academic approaches and disciplines to explore the current strategic environment issues and their implications for those working in the defence and security fields.
The event commenced with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Surah Al-Mujadila verses 10-13 led by course representative Major Mohamad Hishamuddin bin Haji Marzoki. This was followed by welcoming remarks from the Commandant of the DA RBAF and a speech from the minister. – Azlan Othman
