Izah Azahari
The 29th Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) Convocation ceremony is set to acknowledge the hard work of 1,893 graduates over a three-day period, starting yesterday.
Minister of Education cum guest of honour Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sulaiman attended the morning session of the first day of the convocation at the International Convention Centre (ICC) yesterday.
The recipients comprised training instructors who have completed their education at IBTE Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Academy, as well as Diploma (Level 5), Higher National Technical Education Certificate (HNTec) and the National Technical Education Certificate (NTec) graduates.
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hamzah presented certificates to 210 recipients, including 22 training instructors, 43 Diploma (Level 5) recipients, 97 HNTec recipients and 48 NTec recipients.
Awards were also presented to Diploma in Technical Education Training Instructor Siti Umi Amirah binti Haji Ra’emi Maleek and Foundation in Technical Education Training Instructor 21385 SSgt Nur Atiqah binti Mahani.
Meanwhile, Kaylle Marie Roxas Ramos, a student of Advanced Diploma in Maxillofacial, Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (on-the-job training for nurses) at Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre (PJSC), received the Best Achievement Award.
Diploma in Refinery Operator (Level 5) graduate Royaffindy Anak Wahid and HNTec in Agro-Technology graduate Muhammad Rajwan bin Anuar received the Best Student Award, while School of Agro-Technology and Applied Sciences graduate Amal Nursyafiqah @ Amal Nurasyikin received the Special Student Award.
The event began with a recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat led by Mohamed Bolkiah Mosque Affairs Officer Haji Syamsul Nizam bin Haji Badar, and recitation of verses of Al-Quran by HNTec in Business and Finance student Abdul Mursyid Al-Murthada bin ‘Abdul Hadi.
Technical Education Director cum IBTE Chief Executive Officer Dr Haji Mohd Zamri bin Haji Sabli said, “IBTE has made history by producing the first cohort of 22 graduates to follow the Technical Teaching Certificate from TVET Academy; and 31 graduates from Diploma Level 5 in Refinery Operator.
“Additionally, this convocation will also see 12 graduates who have completed the joint programme offered together with IBTE registered training partner, PJSC; 999 graduates will receive the HNTec, and 823 graduates will receive the NTec.”
IBTE notched several achievements last year, including celebrating its 50th golden jubilee since the establishment of technical education in the Sultanate.
“IBTE is highly committed and always proactive in supporting various initiatives by collaborating with stakeholders to produce skilled manpower as well as having industry-recognised qualifications and skills.
“To strengthen cooperation, IBTE last year entered into several memorandums of understanding (MoU) with local and foreign stakeholders, including Unified National Networks Sdn Bhd (UNN) for programmes in the field of telecommunications; Politeknik Ilmu Pelayaran (PIP), Makassar, and Politeknik Pelayaran Malahayati, Indonesia in the field of maritime; and Politeknik Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, Pahang, Malaysia, in the field of food technology and halal food,” Dr Haji Mohd Zamri said.
IBTE also added another feather to its cap with the introduction of the Refresher Course Modular Programme in Health Safety and Environment (HSE), which was collaboratively produced between the Joint Manpower Industry Steering Committee (MISC) Taskforce and IBTE. One of the taskforce’s main roles is to examine and ensure HSE modules conducted by IBTE are on par with international certification, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
“A total of 139 students will be receiving the HSE certificate in addition to receiving certification in the major of the programme they are pursuing,” said Dr Haji Mohd Zamri.
Dr Haji Mohd Zamri also noted that IBTE has implemented the new Dual TVET HNTec in Construction and Draughting programme, which is a collaboration between the Ministry of Development and IBTE through the MISC Working Group in Construction (MISC-WG Construction).
The CEO also shared that as a result of tracer studies research in 2021, achievement rates have shown an increase in terms of employment rate figures for graduates – from 68 per cent in 2020 to 75 per cent in 2021, while the employer satisfaction rate had increased from 87 per cent in 2020 to 90 per cent in 2021.
Meanwhile, the afternoon session saw 250 graduates receiving the HNTec and NTec.
Legislative Council member cum Sabli Group of Companies Director cum IBTE Board of Governors member Yang Berhormat Haji Abdul Hamid @ Sabli bin Haji Arsad attended as the guest of honour.
The Best Student Award was presented to Nurmaizan Izzati Afrina binti Mezlan (HNTec in Telecommunication Systems) and Muhammad Alimin bin Haji Mahli (NTec in Crop and Livestock Production).
The convocation continues with morning and afternoon sessions today and tomorrow.
