4 varsities get $90m for new facilities

Rachel Thien Feb 7th, 2010 .

MoE Permanent Secretary (Higher Education) Hj Mohd Daud (R) and Assistant Director of the Scholarship Department, Hj Azis Hj Nayan (2nd L), touring the booths during the launching ceremony of the open day exhibition for MoE's scholarship division and institutions of higher learning at the ICC. Picture: BT/Zamri Zainal

THE government has allocated more than $90 million for infrastructure in four higher educational institutions, which is hoped to increase the student admission percentage from 13 per cent to 30 per cent in the near future.

This was disclosed yesterday by the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) Permanent Secretary of Higher Education Hj Mohd Daud Hj Mahmud, who said the government has made “high investments” by increasing the tertiary education infrastructure through the National Development Plan 2007-2012.

“It is hoped that with the additional infrastructure (such as buildings), we (MoE) will be able to enhance the student facilities, which are demanded by institutions as such,” said Hj Mohd Daud.

He added that with the establishment of the four higher educational institutions in the Sultanate, students pursuing higher studies may not have to go abroad anymore. Hj Mohd Daud explained that the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) has been allocated more than $65 million for projects such as the construction of additional buildings which include a Science faculty, a medical institute, an education institute, student affairs section, a library, sports complex and a lecture theatre.

Meanwhile, the Institut Teknologi Brunei (ITB) has been given more than $30 million for the construction of the third phase of the institution.

“The MoE is also planning for campus development at Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University (Unissa) with additional buildings and more infrastructure at a later date,” he said.

During yesterday’s annual “Open day for MoE scholarship division and institutions of higher learning” exhibition, Hj Mohd Daud advised students to make full use of the government scholarships awarded to them by choosing appropriate courses which will contribute in the development of the country and help in achieving Brunei’s Vision 2035.

The two-day event was aimed to make students aware of the “transparent” scholarships being offered by the MoE to pursue higher education in Brunei or abroad.

It also provides a platform for other agencies such as Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Brunei Shell Petroleum, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Royal Brunei Armed Forces, among others, to offer information on scholarships provided by the respective agencies for students.

Also included in the exhibition are local educational institutions such as the UBD, Unissa and the Laksamana College of Business which showcase the variety of courses offered for students and to help them identify suitable future careers by giving them advice on universities and colleges accredited by MoE.

MoE Assistant Director Hj Azis Hj Nayan of the Scholarship Section said, “the parents, students and the general public will be given the opportunity to interact directly with the respective agencies to discuss future courses as well as job prospects.”

He added: “I hope that through this exhibition, both parents and students will be able to obtain a clear picture of criteria outlined for undergraduate and postgraduate studies as well as Higher National Diploma (HND).”

There will also be several talks held today from 9am to 12pm by various education institutions to provide further information regarding courses offered.

Hj Azis said, “The MoE Scholarship Division emphasises on this open day to develop knowledgeable manpower resources and to realise the SPN21 (National Education System for the 21st Century) aspiration to produce educated and skilled people for Vision 2035.”

The open day exhibition continues today at the International Convention Centre (ICC) from 8am to 5pm.

The Brunei Times

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