BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

INSTITUT Teknologi Brunei (ITB) held an international forum on health, safety and environment (HSE) yesterday, in a bid to enhance HSE capabilities in the oil and gas industry.

Vice-Chancellor of ITB Dr Hjh Zohrah Hj Sulaiman said the aim of the event was to identify current challenges to improving HSE competence in the sultanate.

“We would also like to eventually move towards making Brunei a centre of excellence in HSE,” she told the 100 participants of the forum.

Themed ‘Engage, Communicate and Deliver’, the two-day forum was organised in partnership with the Energy Department at the Prime Minister’s Office (EDPMO).

The forum aims to encourage key stakeholders from the industry, government and education sectors to network and exchange ideas.

“The success of this forum is critical and important as its impact will be echoed in the years to come. It is my earnest hope that the conclusion of this event will create a platform for continuous collaboration between institutions of higher learning,” said the ITB vice-chancellor.

Dr Hjh Zohrah added that HSE is a rapidly evolving field with many opportunities for employment.

“They need people who have the knowledge and skills to plan and implement strategies to control and manage potential problems, and motivate proactive behaviour changes,” she said.

“Managing workplace and environmental health and safety issues is critical to workers, organisations, and the environment itself.”

Speakers from Brunei, Singapore, the UK, Malaysia and Japan delivered five keynote presentations yesterday.

Some 100 participants from oil and gas companies, government agencies and universities attended the event.

Also attending as guest of honour was Permanent Secretary (Downstream and Power) at EDPMO Dato Paduka Hj Jamain Hj Julaihi.

The Brunei Times