IBTE graduates express their passion in emphasising their commitment to continuous growth in the job market
Students from the Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE), the nation’s largest technical institution, are not just receiving certificates during the 31st Convocation Ceremony; they are reaching for new heights, eagerly preparing for the journey ahead.
Among them, a selected group was honoured with awards for their outstanding academic achievements.
Despite their humility in expressing gratitude, each student radiates a tenacity for continual improvement, aspiring to do their best in their respective fields.
This heartfelt commitment is not merely a response to the demands of the modern competitive job market; it’s a genuine desire to evolve, improve, and keep pace with the ever-changing professional landscape. It speaks to their dedication to staying attuned to innovations in their technical fields, reflecting a deep passion for personal and professional growth.
Deputy Minister (Energy) at the Prime Minister’s Office Haji Mohammad Azmi bin Haji Mohd Hanifah, the guest of honour, in his capacity as the Chairman of the IBTE Board of Governors, lauded IBTE for “producing quality human capital meeting industry needs”.
“Education today promotes the concept of lifelong learning, where individuals continuously develop skills and knowledge to remain relevant in the 21st-Century workforce,” he added.
In line with this, he expressed optimism that IBTE can consistently offer upskilling programmes for both students and staff, providing them with opportunities to refine the practical and technical skills essential in the job market.
Dr Muhammad Fandy bin Haji Osman, one of four recipients of the Academic Excellence Award shared that although he possessed the qualifications required in his field, his decision to pursue a Diploma in Technical Education came from a desire to enhance his own knowledge and skills, especially in the realm of technical education.
“The programme explored foundational aspects in education that we may not always think about, like teaching or assessment techniques. I believe that there is always room for improvement (in terms of educating), especially introducing the use of technology in the classroom.”
Nani Fatini, a graduate from the HNTec in Midwifery programme, who was also a recipient of the Academic Excellence Award expressed gratitude for the experiences she has had while undergoing the programme. She recalled her attachments at public healthcare facilities, where she learned to perform health checks on mothers and their children, from newborns to five years olds.
“Besides monitoring development, I gained experience in administering injections for child immunisation.
“My passion for midwifery stems from family inspiration as many pregnant relatives often sought health advice. Wanting to assist, I pursued midwifery with no background in the field.
“While midwifery involves birthing, there’s much more to it, including administering injections, drawing blood samples, and monitoring children, not just mothers. I’m eager to continue my studies in these areas.”
Following graduation, Nani is contemplating pursuing another course, with nursing being a prospective pathway in her future.
Meanwhile, Nuramirah binti Muhammad Zulqarnain, a Diploma in Control and Automation Engineering graduate from the IBTE Jefri Bolkiah Campus said she felt honoured to be among the students presented with the Chinese Ambassador Award.
This accolade is specifically given to students participating in the collaboration programmes between the Embassy of China in Brunei Darussalam and the Ministry of Education, encompassing students from five higher education institutions, including IBTE.
The award aims to encourage and inspire more local students to actively participate in bilateral cooperation initiatives between the two countries, under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
According to Nuramirah, the award also entail an attachment opportunity with Hengyi, an opportunity that she is grateful for and does not take lightly.
“We will be undergoing a year-long attachment starting from August next year. We’ve been dedicating ourselves to learn Mandarin so that we can effectively communicate with people from Hengyi, once our attachment begins.
“Every week, we had dictation sessions to refine our pronunciation. In the upcoming semester, we will delve into professional level Mandarin, which leans more towards learning Mandarin in relation to the instruments we’ll use at Hengyi.”
Nurul Nadrah binti Ahmad Baihakie, also a recipient of the Chinese Ambassador Award in the same field, expressed that the news of receiving the award came as a pleasant surprise.
“Now approaching my second year, I’m focused on completing my three-year course. After graduation, my plan is to secure a job, especially since I’ve already completed HNTec,” said the 22-year-old.
A total of 1,902 graduates undergoing training programmes received certificates at the 31st IBTE Convocation Ceremony at the Plenary Hall of the International Convention Centre, Berakas.
From the total graduates, 972 received certificates in Higher National Technical Education Certificate (HNTec), 380 presented with the National Technical Education Certificate (NTec) and 418 in Industrial Skills Qualification (ISQ). – Rokiah Mahmud
