BRUNEI-MUARA

HIS Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, launched Institut Teknologi Brunei’s (ITB) first-ever convocation fair since its establishment in 1986, yesterday.

The ceremony held at ITB’s campus also saw the Crown Prince open a modern gallery situated at ‘The Pearl’ building.

Upon arrival, His Royal Highness was welcomed by Acting Vice-Chancellor Associate Professor Dr Hjh Zohrah Hj Sulaiman.

Also present were Minister of Education Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Awg Abu Bakar Hj Apong cum Chairman of the ITB Council, and Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Mohd Yasmin Hj Umar, as Deputy Chairman.

His Royal Highness launched the gallery open using a mobile web application.

He then received a pesambah from ITB’s Student Representative Council before hopping into a roofed buggy bound for ITB’s new library.

ITB students donned in colourful sports uniform, lined up on both sides of the road and cheerfully waved off Bruneian flags.

The library is designed with brightly coloured walls and equipped with dynamic study areas including comfy casual couch-like seats and a silent study computer area.

There, His Royal Highness took a look at the Staff and Student Centre that functions as a one-stop centre for information.

He also interacted with students who have had industrial experience via placement programmes overseas such as the Piper Aircraft Inc in the United States, Technology Info-Communication in Singapore, University Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).

Associate Professor Dr Hjh Zohrah in a statement explained that the fair was themed ‘360 Degrees’ to replicate ITB’s desire to generate capable well-rounded graduates.

“The 360 degrees concept entails that these graduates are not just academically adept but also possess talents that distinguish them from other graduates,” she said.

“ITB’s 23rd Convocation this year hoped to see ITB graduates emerge with an added value so they were now more marketable and employable in the local and international employment sector.”

She said this mirrors ITB’s image as a knowledge-development centre that produces quality graduates who possess Malay Islamic Monarchy values and a sense of responsibility to contribute to Brunei’s community.

Also present at the ceremony was Deputy Minister of Education Dato Seri Setia Hj Yusoff Hj Ismail and Permanent Secretary of Higher Education Dato Paduka Dr Hj Zulkarnain Hj Hanafi.

The Brunei Times