| Syazwani Hj Rosli |
A TOTAL of 1,782 new students yesterday attended the opening of the Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) Orientation Week for the July 2017 intake at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.
IBTE Chief Executive Officer cum guest of honour Dr Chin Wei Keh joined Acting Deputy CEO (Academic) Walter Chong, the senior IBTE management team, registrars, divisional directors, academic and operational managers, school heads, and other staff members at the opening ceremony.
The morning began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa, followed by the welcoming address from Walter Chong, who highlighted that the Orientation Week will be beneficial to the new students, particularly in providing them clear direction in their academic journey at IBTE.
“I would like to remind all of you to adopt a positive attitude and to have a strong determination to succeed. You should be proud to be part of the IBTE family now,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Chin Wei Keh urged the new students to make full use of their time at IBTE not only to develop skill sets and competencies, but also themselves – towards becoming individuals of great worth.
According to him, IBTE does not confine students’ education to classroom teaching and the learning and absorbing of theoretical knowledge. At IBTE, students are also exposed to hands-on skills training provided at the institute’s authentic learning centre and workshops run at the campus, as well as at actual worksites during their industrial placement.
IBTE students taking the oath. – PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR
IBTE Student Council leading the oath
IBTE Chief Executive Officer Dr Chin Wei Keh, centre, at the opening ceremony
“We also encourage our students to participate in extracurricular activities that will help them build different skill sets such as communication skills, people skills, leadership skills and so forth, and most importantly to develop a positive character and uphold our national Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) values within themselves,” said Dr Chin in his speech.
“We believe that by developing all of you holistically in both the soft and hard skills, you will be job-ready upon graduating from IBTE,” he added.
The ceremony continued with the singing of the national anthem, followed by the reading of the student oath led by incumbent IBTE Student Council members.
A presentation aimed at familiarising the new intake with IBTE’s two network of schools was delivered. Talks were also delivered by various government agencies including the Ministry of Education (MoE), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF), Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Ministry of Health (MoH).
As part of their orientation, the new students will take part in programmes designed to ease their transition into the IBTE community at their respective campuses. These will include opportunities to meet with key IBTE administrators, instructors and staff members, as well as participation in talks and social activities geared towards aiding the new students to acclimatise to IBTE and life as technical students.
Muhammad Fa’adhli bin Haji Rosli, left, and his colleague
Speaking to the Bulletin, new student Muhammad Fa’adhli bin Haji Rosli, who is enrolled in the HNTec in Computer Networking at IBTE Jefri Bolkiah Campus, said he believes that education is a lifelong process, and is grateful to have been given a second chance to continue his studies after failing to attain good grades in his GCE ‘A’ Level examinations two years ago.
“It is not over until one gives up trying, and this won’t be me. I believe that there is a reason for everything and I know that a huge adventure awaits me. This is the start of my new academic journey and I really hope this programme will give me a solid foundation for my future,” he said.
For this year’s intake, IBTE is offering 832 National Technical Education Certificate (NTec) and 950 Higher National Technical Education Certificate (HNTec) programmes places across its seven campuses.
The post IBTE welcomes 1,782 into family appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.