After the House Key Presentation ceremony, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam visited two higher education institutions, the residence of the Ketua Kampung of Jerudong and the homes of several recipients.

His Majesty began the visit at the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences, University Brunei Darussalam. His Majesty was greeted by Doctor Awang Haji Azman bin HAJI Ahmad, the Permanent Secretary for Higher Education at the Ministry of Education and Datin Doctor Hajah Anita Binurul Zahrina binti Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Wijaya Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Aziz, the Vice-Chancellor of UBD.

His Majesty witnessed the learning environment which provided a real clinic situation. With a vision to become a prominent Health Sciences Institute in Asia, the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences continues to provide high standard education, carry out high impact research and further expand an excellent community service.

The Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences also recorded an important milestone in its history when it gained recognition and became known as an International Training Centre of the American Heart Association, A.H.A. The institute conducts recognised first aid courses among them the Basic Life Support and Advance Cardiac Life Support.

At the Biomedical Research Centre, His Majesty was briefed on the research projects being conducted by the institute.  One of them is the gene analysis project on the country's cancer patients. The project uses the Elegan C worm to study human diseases and the 3-D Human Structure project.

Currently 329 students are studying in the various fields offered at the institute. 72 are studying Medicine, 101 are doing Biomedical Science, 98 are in Nursing, 30 are in Pharmaceuticals and 21 are studying Dentistry.

The goal of the institute is to produce high calibre health professionals to fulfil the country's needs. To achieve the vision, the institute offers various courses and training to achieve a globally recognised high standard.

From the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences, His Majesty proceeded to University Technology Brunei, UTB. Upon arrival, His Majesty was welcomed by Doctor Shamsiah Zuraini Kanchanawati Binti Haji Tajuddin, the Permanent Secretary for Core Education at the Ministry of Education and Awang Haji Ady Syarmin bin Haji Mohd. Taib, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of UTB.

The role of the UTB is to produce skilled locals. The university has been elevated to a five-star institution based on the assessment of the Quacquarelli Symonds,QS Star Rating.

In the field of research, UTB has been given the trust to lead a smart technology project on Computer Vision Application and Artificial Intelligence in the tourism industry. Two other projects are aimed towards integrating smart technology in environmental protection and agricultural industry.

The UTB offers 24 Bachelor degree programmes besides Master's degree programmes through research and courses and the Doctor of Philosophy, PhD in various fields. More than one thousand and four hundred undergraduates are currently studying at the university. 594 are in the Engineering Faculty, 288 in the Business Faculty, 262 are studying in Computing and Informatics, 71 in Applied Sciences and Mathematics, 50 in the Designing Faculty and 230 are attending Post-Graduate courses.

So far the UTB has produced 99 Master's graduates, one thousand and three hundred, thirty three Bachelor degree graduates, 295 Higher National Diploma Level 5 graduates and five thousand and one hundred forty one Higher National Diploma, BDTVEC graduates. His Majesty's visit to the institutions of higher learning signified His Majesty's continuous care and attention to the development and progress of education in the country in line with the Wawasan Negara 2035 to produce educated, highly skilled and accomplished citizens.

His Majesty also visited the residence of Awang Haji Mohammad Rais bin Haji Ishak, the Ketua Kampung of Jerudong and also the Acting Ketua Kampung of Kampung Jerudong 'B'. His Majesty was greeted by the Permanent Secretaries and Deputy Permanent Secretaries at the Ministry of Home Affairs.

His Majesty then viewed an exhibition of products produced by Kampung Jerudong rssidents including Madu Kelulut Asli or original Stingless Bee honey and woven handicrafts. Kampung Jerudong has a population of eleven thousand and more than one thousand houses altogether.

For the house key recipients, the event was also an opportunity to share their joy with their beloved Monarch.  This was evident when His Majesty visited more than 10 houses of the recipients under Kampung Lugu National Housing Scheme, RPN. A thousand cluster type houses were built under the Lugu RPN. The national housing area presents a concept of comprehensive housing complete with land space to facilitate the public.

According to the latest statistics of the Housing Development Department, more than 28 thousand houses and land lots under the National Housing Scheme have been handed over to eligible recipients in the country.  Eighteen thousand and six hundred ninety nine were applicants in Brunei Muara District, six thousand and five hundred eighty one in Belait, two thousand and six hundred ninety five in Tutong and six hundred thirty five were applicants in Temburong District.

The Ministry of Development through the Housing Development Department is currently carrying out a comprehensive assessment of the National Housing Scheme to ensure it can be sustained in fulfilling demands that have been increasing from year to year. Under His Majesty's leadership, the country's citizens and residents continue to enjoy various facilities including sustainable and affordable housing.  

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by Pelita Brunei

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