COLOMBO (AFP) – Sri Lanka cancelled exams for millions of school students as the country ran out of printing paper with Colombo short on dollars to finance imports, officials said on Saturday. More details in Sunday’s Borneo Bulletin.
5 Things No One Told You About Essex!
Did you know that UK is the most popular study destination amongst Bruneians?! At Essex, we support you in making the most of your time at university. We celebrate diversity, challenge inequality and work hard to create a living, learning and working environment that enables you to express your whole self.
- Essex has a broad range of courses
Whatever your subject, and whatever your passion, we’ve got the space to make it happen.
Essex is essentially a culturally vibrant university with a tradition of making students feel at home in the United Kingdom: a first-choice destination for higher education.
Facilities across our three campuses give you the chance to pursue your interests and meet people from across the university. Impatient to be the next Director Siti Kamaluddin? We have professional-grade studios and editing suites, and we even have a lakeside theatre on campus for those who like the mix of both film and drama. Want to pump iron? Take advantage of our first-class gym. If you stay in on-campus accommodation, your gym membership is free for the first year. Want to take some time out? See a new blockbuster at our on-campus cinema, Cine10. Want to be hoteliers? We have a hotel called Wivenhoe House Hotel that’s based on campus. Whether you are interested in hospitality or event management, or want to find a place for your parents to stay during their visit, we have thought through for you. From communal study areas dotted around campus to cosy Students’ Union social spaces, we’ve got you covered.
- Guaranteed accommodation for all 3 years
Looking for the best university accommodation? Well, you’ve found the right place! We offer a variety of exciting and comfortable accommodation, from studios to single en suite rooms and retro Towers to Townhouses, to suit all budgets. We want to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible, especially as for most of you it will be the first time you have lived away from home and the people you know. So to help make this a little easier, international students are guaranteed accommodation for the duration of their course – all 3 years of bachelor’s degree! Welcome to your new home.
- We have an award-winning park and the world’s longest pier
Home to 15,000 students from more than 130 countries, our Colchester Campus is set within 200 acres of beautiful parkland, located two miles from the historic town centre of Colchester – England’s oldest recorded town. Essex has been given a Green Flag Award, recognising our commitment to managing the historic parkland of our Colchester Campus. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.
Our Southend Campus is based in the heart of this vibrant and modern seaside city. Famous for its beach resort and pier, the city of Southend-on-Sea stretches along seven miles of award-winning coastline, providing plenty of opportunities for a wide range of water sports and leisure activities.
- Essex is more than just a degree
At Essex, the university focuses not only on improving students’ academic performance but also aims to help students gain plenty of hands-on experience by working and learning alongside professionals in a variety of settings and sectors. Our career services can help you with a wealth of support to jump-start your career after you graduate with us, ranging from career dedicated modules in your courses to providing mentorship for your chosen career. Essex’s career support events will help to nurture students in practical learning to support students to have the edge in the work industry and stand out amongst their peers.
The UK government introduced Graduate Route for international students, and this gives students the opportunity to stay in the UK to work. Students will have the flexibility to work and switch jobs according to any level of salary or skill or choose to be self-employed. Join us at the Knowledge Gateway, our research and technology park on our Colchester Campus. The Knowledge Gateway houses up to 50 start-ups and small, medium and larger businesses in its Innovation Center.
- Studying in UK especially Essex is cheaper than you thought
Essex offers scholarship opportunities of £3000 to all Bruneian students who meet the entry requirement. At Essex campus, you can fully experience studying abroad in UK at a cheaper cost, as the cost of living is relatively lower although we are located an hour away from London. The cost of living including accommodation is around £1500-£2000 per month, and students can save up even more if they are planning to cook for themselves.
In UK, international students are allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time. One interesting fact is that, UK is paying minimum wage according to your age instead of your education background and experience. If you are above the age of 23 and you work 20 hours a week, you can earn about £760 (BND 1353) per month through part-time work only.
In conclusion, students can cover at least half of their monthly expenses by working part-time. Plus, you can even work full-time during term breaks to get extra pocket money to do things you like! Not to forget Essex also offers unlimited scholarships that can help ease your tuition fee cost. Hence, this can make sure studying in Essex is an affordable and fun experience.
Impatient to find out more about the University of Essex? Come speak to our representatives, register now and book your slot at https://forms.gle/2sKDsKEEQ2npDUhv8.
If the date and time above is not suitable, please feel free to let us know in the form and we can arrange a more convenient session.
Trend shows decline in Rt value
Rokiah Mahmud
The trend on daily number of COVID-19 cases has shown a decline in the effective reproduction number (Rt) value from 0.95 in the past week to 0.66 as of yesterday, according to Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah.
The daily admission of Categories 4 and 5 patients remained low despite the record number of daily cases in the third wave being higher compared to the second wave, with 0.05 per cent of the cases in the third wave exhibiting severe COVID-19 symptoms.
The minister shared the latest epidemiological information conducted by the Ministry of Health (MoH) yesterday.
He said there have been 108 cases hospitalised in the third wave 60 of which were due to the COVID-19 infection.
Out of the 60 cases, 50 are in Category 4, and 10 in Category 5.
The minister said so far, no cases have required an ECMO machine in the third wave.
Meanwhile, 48 Categories 4 or 5 patients hospitalised are due to other health problems, “which means that 99.95 per cent of the cases have mild or moderate signs of infection or symptoms”, the minister added.
On the analysis of vaccine effectiveness against severe diseases in adults, the graph as of March 11 showed that for every 10,000 people who have received three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, 5.7 people will be placed in Category 4 or 5.
Meanwhile, for every 10,000 people who have received two doses, 13.7 people will be in Categories 4 or 5, and for every 10,000 people with a single dose of the vaccine, 36.6 people will be in Categories 4 or 5.
The graph also indicated that for every 10,000 who did not receive the vaccine, 72.5 people will be in Categories 4 or 5.
Three companies found flouting Employment Order
Fadley Faisal
The Labour Department’s enforcement division carried out Operasi Sejahtera 07/2022 to uncover Employment Order 2009 violations in Kampong Mulaut on March 15.
Enforcement officials inspected four companies and discovered three had violated the Employment Order by hiring three labourers working not in accordance with their original employment contracts.
One, whose job description was a cook, was found working at a stall selling food while a farmer worked at a vegetable stall selling produce.
Meanwhile, a waiter was found selling nasi katok.
The Labour Department said the violators face a BND600 compound fine for the first offence and BND900 for the second.
The department also reminded the public to employ workers according to their work permits and to ensure their welfare, such as preparing their contracts and salary payments in a timely manner.
The department also denounced the misuse of business licences.
The Labour Department urged the public to seek clarification on issues by contacting 2381848 or 7298989.
Like father, like son
James Kon
The Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) through the ‘G’ Operation branch awarded a father and son with an excellence community award for their swift action in extinguishing a fire at a Muallaf assistance house owned by the Islamic Da’wah Centre (PDI), Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Muhammad bin Sabar Elie @ Sabat Anak Elie and Mohammad Sulaimi bin Abdullah Sabat @ Toni Anak Sabat stopped the fire from spreading to the house.
The award ceremony took place at Toni Anak Sabat’s home in Kampong Sibut on Thursday.
‘G’ Operation Commanding Officer SSFR Haji Afiq bin Haji Julah presented the award. Station Commander of Bangar Fire Station Acting ASFR Jamaludin bin Ahmad and officers from the PDI also attended.
COVID pills only for high-risk adult patients, says minister
Izah Azahari
Molnupiravir, the oral anti-viral pill, will only be given to high-risk COVID-19 adult patients, and the plan for its use has already been laid out by the Ministry of Health (MoH) prior to placing the order.
This was shared by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah during the daily press conference yesterday.
Elaborating further, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Professional) at the MoH Dr Ang Swee Hui added that the treatment is for adults only.
“The selection criteria is for high-risk patients whom we fear will be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU),” said the deputy permanent secretary, adding that patients who are unvaccinated, have uncontrolled chronic diseases, or are elderly are among the candidates.
“If a patient is fouind to be high-risk, our experts will prescribe this anti-viral pill,” added Dr Ang.
As stated by the World Health Organization (WHO) on the unsuitability of the pill for children or breast-feeding mothers, Dr Ang said that they are suitable for mothers, but not their babies.
Therefore, if a mother is breast-feeding and has contracted COVID-19, and requires the medication, it will be given to them, but they will have to pause on breast-feeding, Dr Ang said.
“Once they recover they can resume breast-feeding,” he added.
Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew emphasised that the pills will not be given to everyone as it is reserved for those in the high-risk group.
Dr Ang also said the MoH team of specialists will identify the qualified patients as it is not suited to everyone. Thus, he added, the ministry is not distributing the pills to health centres or hospitals en masse.
Dr Ang said the pills are to be taken for five days straight by those showing mild to moderate symptoms as it is not suited to patients who are already hospitalised.
“These pills are for those who are not hospitalised yet, but are at high risk of being admitted into hospitals or ICU. So we have to be selective in prescribing the pills to ensure patients receive the most benefit,” said Dr Ang.
Accuracy depends on correct usage of ART kits
Fadley Faisal
The accuracy of the antigen rapid test (ART) kit depends on how it is administered, said Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health (MoH) Haji Maswadi bin Haji Mohsin.
He said this after Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, who presided over the daily press conference yesterday on behalf of Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar, invited him to address a question from the media on the accuracy of a certain brand of ART kit upon public complaints.
Haji Maswadi said ART kits on the market have gone through tests for their effectiveness and suitability.
He added that while some kits are not suitable for non-professional use, the public should read the ART kit instructions thoroughly before performing the tests.
Great Barrier Reef suffers widespread coral bleaching
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA (AP) – Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is suffering widespread and severe coral bleaching due to high ocean temperatures two years after a mass bleaching event, a government agency said yesterday.
The report by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Authority, which manages the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem, comes three days before a United Nations (UN) delegation is due to assess whether the reef’s World Heritage listing should be downgraded due to the ravages of climate change.
“Weather patterns over the next few weeks will be critical in determining the overall extent and severity of coral bleaching across the Marine Park,” the authority said.
“Bleaching has been detected across the Marine Park – it is widespread but variable, across multiple regions, ranging in impact from minor to severe,” the authority added.
The reef has suffered significantly from coral bleaching caused by unusually warm ocean temperatures in 2016, 2017 and 2020. The previous bleaching damaged two-thirds of
the coral.
The environmental group Greenpeace said the severe and widespread coral bleaching suffered during a La Niña weather pattern that is associated with cooler Pacific Ocean temperatures was evidence of the Australian government’s failure to protect the coral from the impacts of climate change.
“This is a sure sign that climate change caused by burning coal, oil and gas is threatening the very existence of our reef,” Greenpeace Australia Pacific Climate Impacts Campaigner Martin Zavan said in a statement.
In July last year, Australia garnered enough international support to defer an attempt by UNESCO, the UN’s cultural organisation, to downgrade the reef’s World Heritage status to “in danger” because of damage caused by climate change.
But the question will be back on the World Heritage Committee’s agenda at its next annual meeting in June.
A UN delegation will inspect the reef’s health next week.
One nabbed for violating stay-at-home directive
Izah Azahari
The Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) detected one violation during Operasi Peralihan yesterday.
This was shared by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah at the press conference yesterday.
Aatham Alimaideen Maiderm Abdul Karim was issued a compound fine for violating the stay-at-home directive from midnight to 4am.
The RBPF said the violation occurred in Brunei-Muara District.
Doa Selamat for peacekeepers
Adib Noor
A Doa Selamat was held yesterday for the deployment of the 18th International Monitoring Team Mindanao Brunei Darussalam (IMT-M NBD) and the 4th Independent Decommissioning Body Verification, Monitoring, and Assistance Team (IDB VMAT) at Surau Ad-Difa’, Bolkiah Garrison.
Acting Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Brigadier General Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Abdul Razak bin Haji Abdul Kadir Present was the guest of honour.
Also in attendance were Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) Sulaiman bin Alidin, Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence (MinDef), senior leadership, defence representatives from diplomatic missions in Brunei Darussalam, officers and personnel of the MinDef and RBAF.
The ceremony began with the recitation of verses of Al-Quran followed by Tazkirah and proceeded with the presentation of Buku Perwira as tokens of appreciation for the contingent, and concluded with Sunat Dhuha prayers.
The 18th IMT-M NBD contingent is led by Commander Md Zouhdy bin Haji Abdul Razak, RBN and comprise four RBAF officers and an officer from RBPF. The 4th IDB VMAT contingent is led by Lieutenant Colonel Hairin bin Japar and comprise of three RBAF officers. The contingents will depart for Mindanao, The Philippines on March 21. As part of regional co-operation, the Sultanate will continue to provide assistance to ensure the neighbouring state’s peace and stability.
These missions are held to oversee the ceasefire agreement between The Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), as well as the process of decommissioning the MILF’s forces and weapons.
RBAF has participated in the IMT-M since 2004 and IDB VMAT since 2019 as part of its commitment towards regional and international peace and security.
The international mission is in line with the country’s aspirations underscored in the Brunei Darussalam Defence White Papers.
