BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

INSTITUT Teknologi Brunei (ITB) needs individuals passionate about being in academia and are able to produce excellent research output if the institution is to achieve its vision of being among the best 10 universities for engineering and technology in the region by 2018.

Associate Professor Dr Hjh Zohrah Hj Sulaiman, the Vice-Chancellor of ITB said it is also important to have staff who can impart quality teaching and learning to students.

“These criteria are important for ITB to reach its vision and they represent a common goal for all Institutions of Higher Learning,” she told The Brunei Times in an email interview.

While she said ITB needs to increase the research productivity of their academic staff, she noted there has been a steady increase of research publications by them.

She added they need to focus on increasing the number of their graduate students who are vital for their research growth.

Currently, ITB has a total of 2,240 students, comprising 1,132 undergraduate degree students, 818 higher national diplomas, 277 in foundation degrees and 13 in graduate research.

Professor Dr Hjh Zohrah said among the short-term goals of ITB are to produce 360 degree students who are well-rounded individuals with social-economic responsibility, are marketable and have strong MIB values.

She said to achieve 360 degree students and later graduates, ITB encourages its students to join the Student Chapters of the Society for Petroleum Engineers and the Brunei Association of Surveyors, Engineers and Architects (PUJA).

Their long-term goal is to be star-rated and ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) and become the best 10 universities for engineering and technology in the region by 2018.

She said the star rating and ranking by QS will benchmark ITB with other Institutions of Higher Learning in the world.

Currently, ITB is focusing on accreditation of programmes and outcome-based teaching and learning for quality assurance.

This, Professor Dr Hjh Zohrah said, is in line with three of their strategic objectives on teaching and learning; which are to develop innovative curriculum, enhance staff quality and provide innovative teaching.

She noted ITB is also looking to engage more participation from industries during its experience year for students.

Since January, ITB has achieved milestones in its ambitions and strategic partnerships with stakeholders, she said.

In terms of leaving a mark in the region, Professor Dr Hjh Zohrah said ITB had for the first time, opened its doors to applicants from ASEAN to compete in the Sixth Crown Prince CIPTA Award competition in March.

Earlier in April, ITB was in partnership with the Energy Department at the Prime Minister’s Office (EDPMO) in organising a two-day International Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) forum.

Professor Dr Hjh Zohrah said the outcome of the forum was to develop the National HSE strategy in the oil and gas sector.

The Brunei Times