Senior officers must enhance their knowledge and skills to manage the complex relationships between defence and the nation’s governmental, economic and social goals, Royal Brunei Armed Forces Commander Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan said.
He said this during a closing ceremony where 29 participants received certificates for completing the 19th Executive Development Programme (EDP) for Senior Government Officials on Public Policy and Management, hosted by the Ministry of Defence, yesterday.
Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi, the guest of honour, also highlighted the diverse curriculum and participants’ profiles, reflecting a whole-of-nation approach to modern challenges.
He stressed the urgency of implementing proactive public policies to achieve Brunei Vision 2035.
Acting Director of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (SHHBIDSS) Haji Abdul Malik bin Haji Kamis highlighted the programme and reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to continuous learning.
This was followed by remarks from Professor Tan Soo Jie Sheng of Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), National University of Singapore and Lieutenant Colonel Isewandy bin Murni, representing the participants, sharing their insights and experiences from the programme.
The programme serves as a platform to enhance defence diplomacy, with participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, Oman, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The 12-week programme, which began on July 9, was facilitated by SHHBIDSS in partnership with LKYSPP. It included lectures, presentations and study visits to various ministries and agencies, as well as a study visit to Singapore from August 11 to 16. A total of 476 senior officers have undergone the programme since it was inaugurated in 2004. – James Kon
