COLOMBO (AFP) – Sri Lanka ordered troops to petrol stations on Tuesday as sporadic protests erupted among the thousands of motorists queueing up daily for scarce fuel. More details in Wednesday’s Borneo Bulletin.
Duterte’s party backs Marcos heir for Philippine presidency
MANILA (AFP) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s party on Tuesday threw its support behind presidential election favourite Ferdinand Marcos Junior, as his main rival appears to gain momentum in the race for the top job. More details in Wednesday’s Borneo Bulletin.
US says Myanmar committed genocide against Rohingya
WASHINGTON (AFP) – The United States (US) officially declared on Monday that violence against the Rohingya committed by Myanmar’s military amounted to genocide, saying there was clear evidence of an attempt to “destroy” the minority group. More details in Wednesday’s Borneo Bulletin.
Kurnia dates distributed for Ramadhan
Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports
Rokiah Mahmud
Nearly 6,000 packs of kurma kurnia peribadi or dates that were personal gifts of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzadddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam were distributed to officers and staff of the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports (MCYS).
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin distributed the dates at the Citra Hall of the MCYS building yesterday.
To bless the ceremony, the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Surah Al-Baqarah was led by a student from Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) Haji Mohammad Ali Wafiuddin bin Haji Osman.
Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF)
Lyna Mohamad
The kurma kurnia peribadi or dates bestowed as a personal gift from His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam were distributed to officers from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and personnel at the Ministry of Defence (MinDef) and Bolkiah Garrison in a ceremony at the Officer’s Mess of the Bolkiah Garrison yesterday.
The dates were distributed by RBAF Joint Force Commander Brigadier General (U) Haji Alirupendi bin Haji Perudin, who represented the Commander of RBAF. Also present were RBAF Chief of Staff, military directors, commandants, commanding officers and officers under the MinDef and Bolkiah Garrison.
The event commenced with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah by Lieutenant (U) Haji Muhammad Syasuandi bin Haji Abu Bakar, followed with the distribution of dates to representatives of military directorates and units.
Over 200 saplings planted to mark International Day of Forests
Daniel Lim
Over 200 saplings were planted to mark the International Day of Forests in an event organised by the Forestry Department, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) at the Andulau Forest Reserve yesterday.
MPRT and Forestry Department officers and staff, representatives from the Brunei Climate Change Secretariat and volunteers from Green Brunei planted 213 ru runang saplings.
Forestry Department Director Noralinda binti Haji Ibrahim was present with Legislative Council member and co-founder of Green Brunei Yang Berhormat Khairunnisa binti Haji Ash’ari.
The theme for International Day of Forests this year is ‘Forest and Sustainable Production and Consumption’. The theme emphasises the importance of sustainability and production of forest products without straining the local environment, so as to allow for future generations to be able to appreciate forests.
The event helped fulfil one of the strategies of the Brunei Darussalam National Climate Change Policy (BNCCP) In providing forest cover, creating a carbon sink through afforestation and reforestation; with a targetted goal of 500,000 trees planted by 2035.
Hats off to IBTE graduates
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.
Call to further strengthen TVET education
Izah Azahari
Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) must continue to further strengthen studies in technical fields and vocational training to produce highly skilled, quality human capital.
Minister of Education Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sulaiman made this call during the 29th IBTE Convocation ceremony at the International Convention Centre yesterday.
“Education is a trigger for creativity, a generator of innovation that equips the younger generation with skills needed to compete in the job market and become the enabler of overall economic development,” he said.
In updating its teaching programme, IBTE must be proactive and innovative in restructuring educational programmes to meet the needs of the job market, based on the more challenging Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0).
As the whole world sits on the brink of IR 4.0, which is a digital industry involving automated robots and big data analysis in the execution of daily tasks, the minister said, “It is necessary for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) education to be on alert by making changes in line with digital transformation to maintain the competitiveness and progress of the modern world landscape.”
The minister urged IBTE to take steps towards jointly providing added value to each study programme, including introducing modular programmes designed to meet market needs.
“Networking with the industry needs to be intensified to open up wider training opportunities, especially in areas critical to producing a highly skilled workforce in the country,” Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hamzah said, adding that “to meet the growing demand for skilled manpower in line with the local job market, IBTE must continue strategic planning by increasing the supply of learning places through collaboration with the industry.
“I believe that focussing on improving the quality of teaching and learning through the implementation of collaborative programmes with local and foreign stakeholders will pave the way for IBTE graduates to achieve international standards and have the potential to succeed in the market as required by the industry,” the minister said.
Strengthening the TVET system is a step deemed highly appropriate as this field will help the country in shaping human capital towards the formation of new technologies, with noble values so that graduates can address the IR 4.0 challenges.
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hamzah expressed hopes the quality of teaching and learning at IBTE can be periodically improved to meet the needs of stakeholders (public and private sectors), and that it will continue to be strong, dynamic and advanced in creating opportunities to further studies at a higher level.
“The success of an institution also depends on the ability to produce graduates who are innovative and creative enough to create jobs, and not just produce graduates who are looking for jobs,” he said.
Aegis unveils refurbished cash processing centre
Aegis celebrated the official launch of its refurbished cash processing centre (CPC) at its headquarters yesterday.
The state-of-the-art facility which is in full compliance with international banking standards can accommodate 30 operators, and is capable of processing high volumes of notes and coins for all financial institutions and retailers of multiple sizes (small, medium and large), where previously there were only five workstations.
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 inaugurated the launch in the presence of Aegis Directors Musa bin Haji Adnin, Ahmad Morshidi bin Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Diraja Dato Laila Utama Awang Haji Abdul Rahman, Nur Khadijah binti Ahmad and Aegis CEO Jorge Vega.
Guests included Brunei Darussalam Central Bank Executive Director Pengiran Maslina binti Pengiran Haji Mahmud and senior executives from various financial institutions.
Aegis executives walked the guests through its facilities to showcase the security features of the premises. The ribbon-cutting was held inside the CPC, followed by a demonstration of Aegis’ new G+D counting machines and new software, and viewing of an armoured vehicle; concluding with refreshments.
Aegis initiated the company’s digitalisation by utilising cutting edge world-class solutions, equipment and software to conform with international standards.
The Cash Services Department is the first division to achieve full digitalisation – reducing paper usage by 90 per cent, enabling real time tracking of cash services, and ensuring maximum security and accountability. This has resulted in impressive results with a decrease of 65 per cent in ATM/Cash Deposit Machine (CDM) replenishment time and a reduction in processing time of 25 minutes per machine.
Sharing Aegis’ vision for the cash industry in the Sultanate, Jorge Vega said, “We believe that we can transform the cash cycle in Brunei Darussalam. With our new cash centre, we are capable of handling all your cash cycle through a full outsourcing mode. We have a vision of a centralised unique ATM network for all banks nationwide; where banks do not need to manage ATM’s anymore and every citizen can go to any ATM to withdraw or deposit cash with minimal to no downtime…You run the business, let us handle your cash.”
He also expressed confidence, based on international studies showing globally the use of cash continues to increase around four per cent per annum, and that “cash is still king” despite the emergence of e-wallets and free interbanking.
Jorge Vega also officially announced Aegis’ investment and business venture in the Philippines with the addition of Aegis Corporation to the Aegis umbrella, stating “this demonstrates that Brunei companies are not held back by Brunei borders but can deliver a high quality service to customers overseas and transfer our expertise.”
Aegis Corporation is already operational and servicing customers in Cebu and various islands. The Philippines is estimated to have a population of 23,000 ATMs which makes it a very exciting venture for Aegis.
Sultanate marks Global Surveyors’ Day
Adib Noor
The Survey Department of the Ministry of Development (MoD) held a Doa Kesyukuran and Surah Yaasiin recitation ceremony to mark Global Surveyors’ Day at the Ash-Shaliheen Mosque of the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday.
Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Ir Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar was the guest of honour. Deputy Minister of Development Dato Seri Paduka Ar Haji Marzuke bin Haji Mohsin, permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries, heads of departments, senior officers and staff of Survey Department, Licensed Land Surveyors and members of Brunei Institution of Geomatics (BIG) also attended.
The event began with Asar prayer followed by the recitation of Surah Yaasiin, Doa against COVID-19 and Doa Kesyukuran.
The event marked the start of Global Surveyors’ Day celebrations, with more activities planned for March 26 and 27.
Firefighters come under Takaful protection
Lyna Mohamad
A signing ceremony for a three-year participation of the Takaful Brunei Am Sdn Bhd (TBA) Group Personal Accident Takaful was witnessed between the Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) and TBA yesterday.
TBA Chief Operations Officer Barudin bin Haji Kudil and FRD Acting Director Lim Hock Guan signed on the dotted line, with TBA Deputy Chief Business Operations Officer Mohd Suffian bin Haji Mohd Salleh and FRD Assistant Director (Planning, Training and Staff) Hajah Siti Mayang binti Haji Hussin as witnesses.
The signing – held at the FRD Headquarters in Berakas in the presence of FRD officers and personnel – provides over 1,470 FRD personnel Takaful protection and benefits under the TBA Group Personal Accident Takaful scheme. They will be covered in the event of any bodily injuries due to accident and illness, with an effective coverage of 24 hours worldwide.
