In a move to further enhance Brunei’s technical education landscape, the Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 22 industry partners. The signing ceremony took place at Mulia Hotel, Berakas, and was attended by various stakeholders, including the Acting IBTE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director of Technical Education Principal at IBTE Satellite, Dr Suhaimi bin Haji Abdul Wahab.
During his speech at the event, Dr Suhaimi highlighted the transformative potential of this collaboration. He emphasized that the partnership between IBTE and its industry partners is set to pave the way for a transformative journey in the areas of competency-based training, aligning perfectly with IBTE’s mission. The core of this partnership lies in empowering the young generation with relevant skills that meet market needs, enabling them to thrive in an increasingly challenging world of work.
Dr Suhaimi stressed that the MoU not only strengthens cooperation between IBTE and its industry partners but also represents a unified effort between IBTE and the private sector to foster the development and training of Brunei’s human capital. He pointed out the dual benefits of the partnership, stating that it provides industry partners with an opportunity to share expertise with students, offering them real-life insights into industry practices and expectations. Additionally, it helps to expand the talent pool for future recruitment.
For students, the Acting IBTE CEO noted that work-based training offers valuable real-world experiences where they can apply theoretical knowledge. This type of training allows students to develop workplace skills such as technical, communication, teamwork, and higher-level problem-solving skills. It also exposes them to industry dynamics, work culture, challenges, and opportunities, easing the transition from being a student to becoming a contributing workforce.
Dr Suhaimi emphasized the importance of collaborative partnerships in today’s globalized world, stating that they are no longer an option but a necessity. He highlighted the need for IBTE to work hand-in-hand with the industry to produce industry-relevant graduates.
The MoU aims to bring IBTE closer to its goal of producing competitive, employable, and work-ready graduates through increased student engagement, aligning and integrating industry-needed skills into its curriculum, and building valuable relationships with industry professionals. Industry partners for various apprenticeship programs include well-known establishments such as The Empire Brunei, Mulia Hotel, Royal Brunei Yacht Club, and many others.
Overall, the objective of the MoU is to promote and develop cooperation between IBTE and industry partners in education and training programs, specifically for IBTE Apprenticeship Programs. These programs aim to provide apprentices with high-quality work-based training, recognized standards, relevant knowledge and skills, recognized qualifications, and enhanced employment opportunities within IBTE industry partners. The collaboration between IBTE and its industry partners is a significant step towards bridging the gap between education and industry, ultimately benefiting both students and the workforce in Brunei.
