Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) plays a crucial role in national development as it is one of the branches of education producing a skilled workforce to meet employers needs towards supporting economic growth and development.
Director of Technical Education and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) Dr Haji Mohd Zamri bin Haji Sabli said this in his welcoming remarks at the 31st IBTE convocation ceremony yesterday.
Dr Haji Mohd Zamri added, the ASEAN – ROK TVET Mobility Programme was among the programmes that led 11 IBTE students to be sent to Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore and the Philippines to further develop their skills and undergo training.
The Agro-Technology International Festival, he added, is a collaborative project between IBTE and Politeknik Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah (POLISAS); collaborative training programmes between IBTE and Lanzhou Petrochemical University of Vocational Technology, China; and participation in the WorldSkills ASEAN Competition in Singapore last year.
The director added that graduating students and alumni were also awarded through the IBTE STARs Excellence Awards in recognition of their achievements.
“The IBTE STARs – Student Activities Reward System enhances students’ motivation towards excellence, developing leadership qualities and skills, and fostering a sense of social responsibility within them,” the director said.
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 (ICC), Berakas yesterday.
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).
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, presented certificates to the graduates.
The Chinese Ambassador Award was also presented to students who participated in the cooperation programmes between the Embassy of China in Brunei Darussalam and the Ministry of Education (MoE).
The special recognition award involved students from five higher education institutions, including IBTE.
Permanent Secretary (Higher Education) at the MoE, Dr Haji Azman bin Ahmad was also present. – Rokiah Mahmud
