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Latest Discussions
Dawud_uk @ 10-2-08 02:53
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ZEROSKULL @ 10-1-08 07:43
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HuDzSTeR @ 09-30-08 09:00
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HuDzSTeR @ 09-30-08 08:58
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HuDzSTeR @ 09-30-08 08:57
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HuDzSTeR @ 09-30-08 08:28
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HuDzSTeR @ 09-29-08 08:40
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HuDzSTeR @ 09-29-08 08:39
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HuDzSTeR @ 09-29-08 08:38
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HuDzSTeR @ 09-29-08 08:38
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HuDzSTeR @ 09-27-08 08:45
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HuDzSTeR @ 09-27-08 08:44
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HuDzSTeR @ 09-27-08 08:40
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HuDzSTeR @ 09-27-08 08:40
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| Strengthening Research To Improve UBD’s Reach |
| Posted by HuDzSTeR - 09-30-08 09:00 - 2 comments |
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Strengthening Research To Improve UBD’s Reach
By Sonia K
Bandar Seri Begawan – University Brunei Darussalam (UBD) has been around for 23 years. Though haling to provide the highest standard of education to churn out quality graduates for the country's workforce (over the long run the university has to shift its focus to research to create a niche for itself, thus becoming a magnet in attracting overseas students.
The new vice-chancellor has plans up his sleeves to groom the university into something big. "We aspire to be a first class international university with a local identity." Dr Zulkamain Hanafi, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor (VC) of UBD said. "That is our vision and that is where we want to go."
It has been two years -since UBD launched its strategic plan in 2006 and the VC feels that although the university has a plan, they need to start strategizing again, as far as how they want to position themselves.
Since the strategic plan was launched, there have been a lot of developments in Brunei, the VC said. "Since then, we have not one but two universities — University Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) and Kolej University Perguruan Ugama Seri Begawan (KUPU SB)."
Because Brunei is small, Dr Zulkarnain thinks UBD shouldn't be competing for students with the other higher learning institutions. "If anything, I think we should synergize or complement the other universities," he said.
One of the VC's plans for UBD is to strengthen its research. "My feeling for UBD is being a 23-year-old university, we have consolidated our role in teaching and learning and I think it is high time that we move to the next level which will be strengthening our research," he stressed.
For any renowned or top international university to be listed or ranked, for example, in the Times Higher Education or in a world ranking or regional ranking, there must be some evidence that the university is doing some research.
"This is our next move, we are going to essentially build our rapacity in research through encouraging our current staff to be more focused on their research by supporting them in terms of getting research grants,- he said.
By this he means working with both public and private agencies, as there are requirements in the market where people need some form of research being done. "So we would like to -go and form a partnership with various industries available out there. In fact as we speak now, we are negotiating with a lot of other international potential partners in various industries," be said.
As far as Brunei is concerned, UBD is trying to address Brunei's needs in terms of research in three main areas: biodiversity, energy and food security. He provided an example on energy, saying the research could address issues on alternative energy, renewable energy, energy conservation and such.
"Within each programmed there will be research groups and sub-groups. By doing this we hope we would be able to attract good talents to Brunei," Dr Zulkarnain said.
With good researchers, UBD will be able to attract high quality students — both under-graduate and graduate students. In research, it is required to have assistants and a way to attract them is to offer them an opportunity to do their PhD. So while they are doing their PhD, they are doing research relevant to UBD's needs, he said giving an example.
"And eventually, UBD will be what we want it to be, an institution that will attract very good talents, ultimately the best talents," the VC said
UBD will use the opportunities research provides and link it to teaching. The VC said, for a long while the ways things are being done at UBD are very much what they call teacher-centric or instructor-centric.
"We want to move away from that. We believe that learning is everyone's business," Dr Zulkamain said and added, "It is not just the role of the lecturers to impart knowledge but also the role of the students to impart knowledge to other students and their lecturers.
"We believe that learning should be very active and should not be passive," he added.
He said kids now are very smart, UBD students and school leavers, in particular, are very demanding. "They expect a lot from our lecturers. We have to move forward."
With this vision in mind, UBD is going to be reviewing its curriculum. "We are going to undertake a university-wide curriculum review to make sure that our programmed are relevant," he said.
UBD's aim is to ensure that its programmed would produce graduates who will be prepared for what the VC calls uncertain job markets.
He said, "You might design a programmed now and when students graduate four years down the line their expertise that they have learnt may not be used. The goalpost has again been moved. So we want to come up with a programmed that will have breadth and for the students to have some time to study a particular area in depth."
Another plan UBD has in the pipeline is to introduce in the very near future and in partnership with industries, programmed that have relevancy to sectors such as banking, finance or business.
"It is like a taster for the students, if they like it they might pursue it further. But on the other side it is also an advantage for industries because they can start talent spotting during the internship within the four-year programmed," the VC said.
UBD is also planning to move towards involving industries or experts in a particular industry both from the private and government sectors to be practice faculty.
"The professors or lecturers at UBD do not have to be full time lecturers here, it would be nice to have someone from the banks to come to UBD to give a particular seminar or workshop on a particular aspect of banking and finance," the VC said.
"This is because they have a real world grasp on the subject which you don't. get in books," he added.
Dr Zul believes the world is changing constantly. "If you don't change yourself, you will be left behind. So for us in a university, we need to keep up with that change." -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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| Long Queues As Raya Nears |
| Posted by HuDzSTeR - 09-30-08 08:58 - 0 comments |
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Long Queues As Raya Nears
By Azlan Othman
Bandar Seri Begawan - Motorists were caught in a traffic jam yesterday as people started their last-minute dash to shopping center and payment counters to settle telephone and other bills before the long festive holiday beginning either Wednesday or Thursday, depending on the sighting of the new moon of Syawal.
Long traffic queues were reported around Gadong, Kiulap and Jln Sultan in the capital yesterday. The traffic in Gadong was massive as the underground car park at the hypermart was fully occupied last weekend. Long queues were also reported at petrol stations as drivers lined up to fill up their tanks yesterday.
The Brunei Shell Marketing informed that only five petrol stations will remain open during the first day of Hari Raya, namely An Pasir Berakas from 10am to 8pm, Bunut (12 noon-8pm), Kg Kilanas and Lambak Kanan (12 noon-12 midnight) and Jln Junjungan (6pm-9pm) in Brunei/Muara.
On the second day of Hari Raya, only five stations will be closed in the Brunei/Muara District, namely Pekan Muara, Kg Penglayan in Jln Muara, Kg Salambigar, Jln Kebangsaan and Kg Sengkurong.
In Tutong, Kg Kupang and Kg Suran filling stations will be closed on the first day. The Kg Kupang station will also be closed on the second day. Meanwhile in Belait, only pump stations in Jln Setia Diraja and An Panglima will be closed on the first day while on the second day; only Jln Panglima pump station will be closed.
In Temburong, both stations will be closed on the first day but will open on the second day of Raya.
Patients who have appointments with doctors were also advised to take their medication yesterday as the long break means long queues at the dispensary once the holiday is over.
If the moon is sighted, public servants will enjoy a three-day holiday beginning Wednesday. If the moon is not sighted, then they will have a four-day break.
Meanwhile, a counter staff at one of the bank said customers were seen queuing to withdraw cash for last minute shopping and were asking for $1, $5 and $10 notes for the green packets, which has become a Raya tradition. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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| Six Local Companies Fined $22,950 In Total |
| Posted by HuDzSTeR - 09-29-08 08:39 - 1 comments |
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Six Local Companies Fined $22,950 In Total Bandar Seri Begawan - In the month of Sept 2008, six local companies were brought before the Bandar Seri Begawan and Kuala Belait Magistrate's Court for contravention of Section 78(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act (CAP 35), stated a press release from the Attorney General's Chambers.
They were charged with failure to furnish the Ministry of Finance's Revenue Section with the relevant Return of Income and Particulars Forms that are required for the purpose of ascertaining the income tax chargeable to the companies. On Sept 4 this year, AMR-TUR Corporation SDN BIM was charged with failure to furnish the Revenue Section with the relevant Return of Income and Particulars Form that is required for the purpose of ascertaining the income taxes chargeable to the company for the years that ended 2006 and 2005. The company, represented by one of its directors, Hj Mohammad Hj Yakop, pleaded guilty to the two charges and was imposed a total fine of $1,600 or two months' imprisonment in default of payment. Last Sept 10, Mega Trans SDN BHD, who was represented by one of its directors, Dk Hadinah PDP Pg Hj Apong, faced three of the same charges for the years ending 2006, 2005 and 2004, and was fined a total of $2,000 or two months' imprisonment in default of payment. On Sept 22, Zainal Daud SDN BHD, represented by Director Abd Rahman Jaafar, faced five of the same charges for the years that ended 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002, and was fined a total of $4,100 or five months' imprisonment in default of payment. Meanwhile, on Sept 25, three KB companies were charged - Nur Zafirah SDN BHD, ZMY SDN BHD and Dandy Jaya SDN BHD. Nur Zafirah SDN BHD faced three of the same charges for the years that ended 2006, 2005 and 2004. The company, represented by Director Siti Khadijah Abdullah, pleaded guilty to all three charges and was imposed a total fine of $3,000 or three months' imprisonment in default of payment. ZMY SDN BHD faced eight of the same charges in total, for the years that ended 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000 and 1999. The company, represented by one of its directors, Ms Yong Siew Chin, pleaded guilty to all eight charges and was imposed a total fine of $7,250 or eight months' imprisonment in default of payment. Dandy Jaya SDN BHD represented by Director Anita Ramlee faced five of the same charges for the years ended 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002, was fined a total of $5,000 or five months in jail after pleading guilty to all five charges. Failure to comply with the notice or non-submission of a Return of Income and Particulars Form, including the annual audited accounts, is a criminal offence punishable under Section 78(2) of the Income Tax Act (CAP 35) with a fine of $10,000 and in default of payment to imprisonment for 12 months. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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Read 91 times - last comment by St.Jackal
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| Foreign Nationals Detained In Oops Pintas |
| Posted by HuDzSTeR - 09-29-08 08:38 - 0 comments |
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Foreign Nationals Detained In Ops Pintas
By Narissa Noor
Bandar Seri Begawan - Twenty-five Enforcement Officers from the Immigration Department targeted Kg Mentiri, Kg Subok and Jalan Roberts recently in an Ops Pintas 147/2008 between the hours of 10pm and 3am.
Eleven foreign nationals were issued summons, three of whom were given special passes, while the other eight - comprising three Indonesians, three Indians and two Thai nationals were detained at the capital's police station. At a rented house in Kg Mentiri, the officers also found Ismawandi from Indonesia, 27, hiding behind a door and he was unable to provide authorities with any valid documents.
After further investigations, they were able to determine that his employee had reported him missing to the authorities. However, his work visa remains valid and his employer has been contacted.
Meanwhile, an Indonesian couple claiming to be married were issued special passes when found living together but were unable to produce legal marriage documents. This case has been forwarded to Syariah Affairs.
Later, seven of the foreign nationals were released after their employers provided the authorities with proofs of validity. According to Chapter 15 (1) Para 17 of the Immigration Act, any foreign national staying in the country after their pass has expired could be imposed a compound fine of $600.
If the offence does not exceed 90 days, the offender would be liable to no more than six months in jail or a fine of no more than $4,000.
However, if the offence exceeds the 90-day period, offenders will face jail time of no less than three months but no more than two years and be given at least three strokes of the cane.
The Immigration Department is continuously conducting operations and patrols in their efforts to reduce and control the number of immigration offenders.
Members of the public are therefore urged to cooperate by providing authorities with any useful information that could assist them in apprehending such offenders. The hotlines 2383555, 2383777, (for KB) 331879 and 3341938 can be reached during office hours. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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| Peace Monitors Return From Mindanao |
| Posted by HuDzSTeR - 09-29-08 08:38 - 0 comments |
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Peace Monitors Return From Mindanao
By Lyna Mohamad
Bandar Seri Begawan - After carrying out their duties in Mindanao, Philippines for the past one year, six members of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, who represented the Sultanate's participation in the International Monitoring Team (IMT), returned home safely Saturday midnight.
Among those who welcomed home the contingent of Major Hj Mohd Rosmandi Hj Othman, Captain Hj Hasmin Hj Lilah, Captain Shahril Affendy Hj Abdullah, Lieutenant Yusra Hj Piut, Warrant Officer II (U) Abu Sufyan Haji Metassan and Waran Officer II (L) Pengiran Haji Nordin Pengiran Haji Sulaiman was Acting Commander of RBAF, Brigadier General (U) Dato Paduka Hj Mahmud Hj Saidin.
During the tour of duty, the contingent faced a lot of challenges yet they were able to adapt to the situation and "leave it to Allah the Almighty", said Major Hj Mohd Rosmandi.
He expressed his happiness in not only being reunited with his family members but also being able to celebrate the coming Hari Raya.
However, he expressed his sadness in remembering that there are Muslims in Mindanao who are in a conflict and unable to celebrate Hari Raya after one-month of fasting during Ramadhan.
Like in similar operations, the six personnel worked as a mobile team located at Cotabato City, shouldering the responsibility of observing and monitoring the implementation of agreements signed between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the MIL F covering the provinces and all cities located therein, including its socio-economic development.
Also present at the airport to welcome them home were the Ambassador of Republic of the Philippines, as well as senior civilian and military officers of the Ministry of Defence and the RBAF, Philippines Defence Advisor and families of the returning personnel. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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| Brunei Pledges Full Support To The UN |
| Posted by HuDzSTeR - 09-27-08 08:45 - 0 comments |
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Brunei Pledges Full Support To The UN
Bandar Seri Begawan - His Royal Highness Prince Haji A1-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office addressed the United Nations General Assembly, Thursday afternoon, during the General Debate held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, declaring Brunei's full support to the world organization.
"We will support all (UN) efforts to address political, economic and social concerns (and) help with recovery from natural disasters," said the Crown Prince.
"We will join fellow members in protecting not only the environment but also cultures of small societies like our own... and respect the values of the various faiths held by the people this organization represents."
In his statement, the Crown Prince outlined the various areas in which Brunei has offered its full support, including the UN role in establishing a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
His Royal Highness also stated the need to jointly address the challenges of climate change, citing Brunei's own Heart of Borneo Initiative with Malaysia and Indonesia to "conserve the priceless heritage of the rainforests of Borneo by placing over half of our territory under environmental protection".
The Crown Prince expressed the country's acknowledgement by agencies like WHO and UNESCO whose work have been influential to the Brunei people. "We especially support UNESCO's commitment to the process of dialogue and negotiation as the only lasting means of resolving confrontation no matter how painstaking the process may be at times," His Royal Highness stated.
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