Bandar Seri Begawan - The launching of the Innovative ICT-based Classroom project at Rimba II Secondary School marks another milestone for Brunei, as the Sultanate joins forces with the Republic of Korea to develop ICT education here.

This move also further strengthens ongoing cooperation between the Ministries of Education of both countries.

The Permanent Secretary (Core Education) at the Ministry of Education, Hj Mahrub Hj Murni yesterday noted this in his speech as guest of honour at the launch, which was also attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Brunei Darussalam, Mr Choi Byung-koo.

The project, the guest of honour pointed out, is part of cooperation in ICT between four countries, namely Brunei, Columbia, Indonesia and the Republic of Korea. Discussions on the MoU and its implementation took place last September between Science and Technology (Korea) and the International Affairs & Public Relations Unit, Department of ICT (Brunei), Education Ministries.

He further highlighted the fact that Korea is the world's leading authority in e-Government services delivery (baSed on the United Nation's e-Government 2010 survey) and the same applies to the country's initiatives in ICT education.

Touching on the e-Hijrah strategy, an ICT in education Strategic Blueprint launched February last year, he pointed out that an important aspect of the e-Hijrah is to integrate technology infrastructure, practices and systems to teaching, learning, professional development, learning space designs and general quality improvements.

This, in away, ensures the successful future development of the education system and the nation's sustainability, where the e-Hijrah Strategy and Blueprint is 'a six-year tightly aligned strategy, execution and implementation plan designed to establish all the necessary components towards the transformative use of ICT in education.

"ICT-based Innovative Clasroom is aligned to the e-Hijrah pathway, which is in the foresight and innovation that prepares stakeholders for emerging innovations within an ICT culture."

He further added, these initiatives are further aligned to the country's National Vision 2035 and SPN21 to create a strong, diverse and vibrant knowledge economy, with well-educated citizens who have a strong sense of their own identity and are confident and capable of operating in a globalised and increasingly advanced digital world.

As it is known that ICT is the big driver of educational change globally, he noted that professional development programmes are part of the ICT-based Innovative Classroom project. And, with school teachers already in training, the ministry would like to explore other relevant areas of cooperation, which include exchange programmes for both teachers and students, in the future.

Meanwhile, in a separate speech, the Korean ambassador noted that better education has been one of the top priorities in the republic's national development.

This was so even when South Korea was devastated by war in the 50s - under extreme hunger and miserable conditions, parents never neglected educating their children for a better future.

Having been in Brunei for five months, the ambassador said he had come to know of the excellent education system here and is very impressed with Brunei students' fluency in English and in-depth knowledge.

"The Innovative ICT-based Classroom project that were launching today can be an impetus in upgrading Bruneian education with the help of advanced Korean IT Technology and its application to school education."

He added, the project would also act as a platform for future projects in the field of education between the two countries.

Korea and Brunei have for some time now been working closely in the ICT field, with the Prime Minister's Office in Brunei and the Ministry of Administration in Korea signing an MoU in the area of e-Government back in August 2010.

Another remarkable cooperation is between Universiti Brunei Darussalam and the Korea Advance Institute on Science and Technology.

"I am convinced that the launching of this project today will be a milestone that points to mutually beneficial cooperation in the ICT area in the months and years to come."