| Danial Norjidi |
DR HAJI Azman bin Ahmad, the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Higher Education) at the Ministry of Education, yesterday expressed his hope that more academic research collaborations and more potential initiatives continue to be explored between Brunei Darussalam and the United States of America.
The deputy permanent secretary was the guest of honour at the fourth ‘Let’s Go America!’ showcase featuring the first US Community College Fair at the Radisson Hotel yesterday.
In his speech, Dr Haji Azman said, “We are pleased with the ongoing collaborations between Brunei Darussalam and the United States.”
These, he said, include: more than nine active Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) which focus on student and faculty exchanges, joint-or-aboard programmes as well as research; and Masters of Public Policy and Management (MPPM) where Universiti Brunei Darussalam‘s partner institutions are Georgetown University, University of Maryland, Duke University and University of California, Berkeley.
“I hope such academic research collaborations will be expanded, and more potential initiatives continue to be explored,” he added.
Addressing the students and parents at the fair, he encouraged them all to learn and ask about the higher education opportunities available in the United States, as an alternative pathway to gain a bachelor’s degree.
He also expressed his hope that the fair would receive a positive response from the public, especially among students and parents, as the United States of America attracts far more students from abroad than any other country.
“More Asean students are studying out of their home country than ever before,” he shared, noting that, according to data from UNESCO, the total number of Asean students going abroad has increased by more than 40 per cent since 2006.
He also noted that, based on the number of student visas issued by the US Embassy in Brunei Darussalam, 85 students from Brunei have chosen to study in the United States in 2016, which he said is evident that more Bruneians are choosing to study there.
“There is no doubt that Brunei Darussalam has a long history of strong bilateral ties with the United States. Hence, our interest on the US education system is clearly evident, which can be represented through annual scholarships offered from governments as well as active educational engagements and collaborations between Brunei’s universities with some top universities in the States.
“Since the United States is known for its top ranked universities in the world, for instance with 15 US universities in the Top 20 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2018, undoubtedly the country with one of the best education systems has so much to offer from their well-accomplished specialisations in higher education, especially in areas of academic and research establishments.”
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