| Azlan Othman |
RUSSIAN software companies are open to working with Brunei students on computer programming and training them to become among the best software engineers in the world, according to Andrey Bezrukov, president of the Russian Association of High Technology Security Export, and a professor at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) University.
Bezrukov was speaking on the sidelines of the Russian Business Mission (IT Sector) discussions with local ICT experts yesterday at the Design and Technology (D&T) Building at Anggerek Desa Technology Park in Berakas.
The MGIMO professor is part of a Russian delegation currently in Brunei to study the Brunei and Southeast Asian IT markets, and to introduce technologies from Russian companies to Bruneian partners and unearth potential collaborative projects.
The delegation comprised representatives from leading Russian IT firms that provide innovative services and technology solutions to governments, businesses, infrastructure operators, as well as organisations in the finance, energy and cybersecurity sectors.
“We (Russians) are very strong in IT and security as we often face challenges. This is why we always have to invent something new and find solutions and work smarter. Russia has a strong math and science background and we can share such strengths with Brunei as your country has good schools,” he said.
“Brunei has big and ambitious plans especially in the new, digital economy, and needs solid IT education to nurture and develop key technical competencies among students from a very early age,” he added.
Bezrukov has met with officials responsible for IT education and IT-related business development in Brunei, and commented that he was impressed with the collection of top-calibre, high-knowledge technical staff.
“Asean is of interest to us as it is growing rapidly and the bloc needs these sort of competencies when building a digital economy. Digital development brings many benefits and it needs to be realised; not doing so could bring bigger risks going forward. Without properly handling the security of digital space, we cannot even talk about building digital space,” he said.
“For instance, there are extremists and criminals that take advantage of and lurk in digital space. Hence, we should be ready to assert digital sovereignty of governments.
“This is where Russian competencies come in; we know how to control our digital space and we of course are willing to share this knowhow. The solution would feed Brunei’s needs. We are ready to co-develop and transfer technical competencies, and train people here in the Sultanate,” he said.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary (Industry) at the Prime Minister’s Office Haji Mohamad Azmi bin Haji Mohd Hanifah highlighted that Brunei Darussalam and the Russian Federation have always enjoyed strong ties, saying that “This year marks the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and we wish to continue to strengthen ties that bring benefits to both countries,” adding that “this forum is timely to explore cooperation and opportunities in IT, which will encompass the creative industry, telecommunications, cybersecurity and IT education”.
The permanent secretary further added, “Brunei continues its efforts to achieve economic resilience and sustainability in realising the Brunei Vision 2035 and aspiration to diversify the economy away from oil and gas with the development of five new industry clusters: the Halal sector, logistics, tourism, downstream oil and gas, as well as the innovative technology and creative industry.
“We are currently taking aggressive steps towards making Brunei a place that is pro-business and pro-investment. Information and Communication Technology has been one of the biggest enablers of most industries in the global economy in the past decades and will remain so in the future.”
He also stated that the Brunei ICT sector is positioned as the driver and enabler in Brunei’s efforts to diversify its economy, and several initiatives have already been put in motion to ensure a conducive business ecosystem for start-ups and foreign investors.
An example of this is an online business portal that allows local entrepreneurs and potential investors to get their businesses registered online within 24 hours and conveniently search for business-related information.
Included in the discussions were a roundtable conference on advanced IT and cybersecurity technologies from Russia – jointly organised by the Energy and Industry Department at the Prime Minister’s Office (EIDPMO) and the Embassy of Russia in Brunei Darussalam, networking sessions, bilateral meetings, as well as visits to the various Bruneian agencies, companies and industrial sites.
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