| Nuri Sufri |
SEVERAL countries are now looking towards Brunei Darussalam as a role model in the development of Information Technology (IT).
These IT initiatives are undertaken by the Brunei Solutions Development Centre (BSDC) which is funded by the e-Government National Centre (eGNC) and managed by Microsoft.
This was revealed by Fredrik Nylander, Senior Director, APAC, Microsoft, yesterday, during a joint interview along with Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office, at the BSDC Capability and Mentoring Programme (CAMP) Graduation and Inauguration of BSDC Local Partners, held at the Design and Technology Building in Anggerek Desa.
Nylander said that the BSDC CAMP programme demonstrates a successful case study for Microsoft globally, adding that “at least three to four governments are using Brunei as a model”.
The CAMP graduation marks a milestone for Brunei’s IT industry, explained the minister.
“Today’s event is a testimony which demonstrates that we have the capacity to produce qualified and capable Bruneians as certified systems developers.”
“This qualification gives instant recognition to be employed anywhere in the world, especially in the IT domain. The graduates can even look into sub-contracting for Microsoft anywhere in the world,” he said.
Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office, with Fredrik Nylander, Senior Direc-tor, APAC, Microsoft. – BAHIYAH BAKIR
A CAMPer working on her coding program during the Brunei Solutions Development Centre Capability and Mentoring Programme. – HAKIM HAYAT
The minister stressed that with the new generation of Bruneians, the youth no longer seek and depend on government employment, but instead “they create their own employment and learn how to earn a living”.
“As long as the youth have some form of tertiary education and passion, I have confidence in our young Bruneians to achieve greater heights for the IT industry in Brunei,” he said.
According to the minister, the main focus of the Department of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office (EIDPMO), is to increase the capacity of small and medium enterprise’s (SME) and polish their business management and finances, as well as provide the necessary support, training and facilities, whilst maintaining its relevance.
To enhance the government’s efforts in creating an ecosystem for SMEs in the IT industry, Microsoft in partnership with BSDC is committed to continue its collaboration with the Brunei Government in providing knowledge and skills.
“We will coach and guide them, not only in technical solutions but teach them how global professional services organisation operate, things to consider, ways in attracting talent, and methods to develop a competency organisation to always be in the throng on the latest technology,” Nylander said.
“It is much more than just pure technology; it is also about helping them establish themselves as professional companies with worldwide standards,” he added.
According to the minister, there are currently several projects in the pipeline that include BSDC developing a new labour control system.
“Once completed, we can sell it anywhere in the region. We have reached the standard and we should look into other countries.”
“Bruneian youths should take this opportunity as a challenge for the country’s future well-being,” the minister reiterated.
“We want to work closely with Microsoft and we want to make sure that we take on the region as such that we will see Bruneian companies in the global arena. We have been striving to improve the environment even under e-Government Centre but we will leverage on this to improve the whole dynamics of the industry further,” he said.
The graduates will be provided with office space at the iCentre and supporting programmes run by Darussalam Enterprise (DARe) which include the Industry Business Academy (IBA), which aims to refine the business aspect.
This will be launched on April 14 and open for registration, according to Muhammad Norshafiee bin Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil, Deputy Permanent Secretary (IT, E-Government and Industry) at the Prime Minister’s Office.
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