James Kon
The Ministry of Education (MoE) through its Higher Education Division, in collaboration with public and private higher education and technical institutions, is conducting the Graduate Employment Studies and Employer Satisfaction Surveys, in line with aspirations under Brunei Vision 2035.
“The latest studies aim to monitor and evaluate the marketability and on-the-job performance of our graduates,” said Permanent Secretary (Higher Education) at the MoE Dr Haji Azman bin Ahmad at the opening of the UBD Career Fair 2021 at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) yesterday.
He said the analysis “will hopefully provide insight into the effectiveness of current policies and strategies. Thus, it is also advantageous for our higher education institutions to utilise the findings to develop and implement initiatives that can boost employers’ confidence in hiring their graduates, and thereby increase graduates’ employment rates.
“This is in parallel with the MoE’s vision – ‘Quality Education, Dynamic Nation’, which commits the ministry to provide equitable quality education to develop students to become positive and responsible individuals who can contribute positively to the nation.”
Despite the major implications and challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, “Brunei Darussalam still manages to drive its national priorities. One such priority is the accessibility of education for all. Each and every school and higher education institution has adapted methods to ensure teaching and learning are not disrupted by adapting to working remotely and integrating technologies to allow education and training to be conducted through various forms of blended learning.”
In this regard, he said UBD is embracing the spirit of inclusivity by organising a blended career fair (which allows online participation), which is aligned with the national vision of transforming into a Smart Nation.
“This year’s Career Fair offers an estimate 180 job vacancies by employers from 38 participating exhibitors, 29 of whom are from the private sector. The participation of Manpower Planning and Employment Council (MPEC) Secretariat, Job Centre Brunei, companies, agencies and higher education institutions show everyone’s strong commitment towards the socio-economic development of Brunei Darussalam by providing employment opportunities and pathways for jobseekers,” he said.
Equally crucial to the availability of job opportunities, he said, “are the development and execution strategies to adequately prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow and to overcome employment challenges. Hence, the support and contribution from employers, particularly the private sector, in providing crucial information and data, especially the ones pertaining to labour demand, will help the relevant stakeholders to provide a clearer depiction of the country’s labour market”.
He hoped the fair will be beneficial particularly to students, graduates and alumni.
“I strongly urge you to make full use of this opportunity to get to know potential employers. Gain as much knowledge as possible and widen your network by participating in the forum and engagement sessions organised throughout the event. These sessions will help you decide the career that does not only suit you, but aspire you in realising Brunei Vision 2035,” he said.