Rasidah H A B
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

STUDENTS of the Religious Teaching course under the Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College (KUPU SB) became the last graduates of their course yesterday as KUPU SB will now carry on to offer an expansion of the courses available as a university college.

This move came following His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s previous titah in which the monarch announced that the institution would be raised to university college status on January 11, 2007.

Formerly known as Seri Begawan Teaching College, the last graduates, who received their certificates in the Religious Teaching course yesterday at the institution’s 30th convocation ceremony, were witnesses to the institution’s promotion to a university college in 2007.

Following the convocation, KUPU SB will now carry on to offer students the following courses: Religious Teaching Diploma, Religious Teaching Higher Diploma, Religious Teaching Post-graduate Diploma and Bachelor of Religious Teaching.

KUPU SB Raes Dr Hjh Masnon Hj Ibrahim in her speech during the ceremony said that the university college was always looking ahead by diversifying its academic programmes. “These programmes will be expanded (in number of fields and course structures) in stages according to our teaching capabilities,” she said.

“InsyaAllah, KUPU SB will also open up its programme to incorporate religious teaching in postgraduate levels in Syariah, Usulludin, Education, Management and Administration and Islamic Literature.”

She added that plans were also under way to offer religious teaching doctorate programmes at the institute.

The certificates were presented by Religious Affairs Minister Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Md Zain Hj Serudin, who also launched the Teacher’s Journal published by KUPU SB yesterday.

“Our society places high expectations on religious teachers that they will continue to deepen their knowledge, skills and ability in shaping the nation’s youths with noble values and behaviour as well as being capable of answering the challenges of the present and moving away from social ills and negative influences,” said Pehin Dato Dr Ustaz Hj Md Zain.

These high expectations come from parents worrying about the effects of social ills and modernisation on their children, said the minister, adding that parents pin their hopes on religious teachers, that they are educating their children effectively.

According to the best overall student for the 2005-2008 session, Mohd Hafizuddin Masri, teaching has its own challenges for each individual.

“The challenges lie not so much in teaching but in managing the students. The key is to be patient. Each student is different,” said Mohd Hafizuddin.

“Make changes in steps. Change one thing today and change another tomorrow. You have to be patient,” he added.

The 22-year-old, who has been teaching at Begawan Pehin Udana Khatib Haji Awang Umar Kampung Setia Religious School for nine months now, was able to maintain his status as best overall student for all six semesters and was known for his active participation in clubs.

Meanwhile, “study smart” is the motto for Nurul Faihah Hamdan, the best overall student for the 2006-2009 session. “Study smart in school. Listen to your teachers. Try your best and do not forget to pray to Allah SWT,” she said when asked about her learning routine.

Her intake has not been assigned to any schools yet (to teach) but if given the opportunity, Nurul Faihah said she would love to continue studying for as long as possible.

However, the new graduate told The Brunei Times that she is ready to face the working world of teaching. “There will be challenges in teaching but I will apply what I learnt in my work,” she said.

The institution has produced 3,956 religious teachers since it was established in 1972. The convocation was held at the Plenary Hall of the International Convention Centre.

The Brunei Times

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