| Lyna Mohamad |
THE current job market compels education institutions to act as specialist centres plugging the skills gap in industry and satisfying its demands, through the production of skilful, knowledgeable and positive-minded human resource.
Collaborations with industry need to be increased and more opportunities for training, particularly in critical fields, also need to be opened up if Brunei is to realise a highly skilled workforce.
These sentiments were made by Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar in his speech at the Kolej International Graduate Studies (KIGS) Convocation Ceremony 2018 yesterday.
The minister added that to meet the ever-rising need for skilled workers by the local job market, strategic planning, notably through education transformation, needs to be carried out.
One way to do this, the minister says, is by increasing on-the-job attachment arrangements for students by collaborating more extensively with industry.
“By focussing on the quality of upgrading of graduates through the implementation of collaboration programmes with higher education institutions in the country, region and international arena, we can provide a pathway for graduates to achieve international-standard qualifications and skills, and enhance their chances in landing jobs of their choosing in their respective industries,” he said.
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suhaimi noted that as part of its efforts to produce a model that is able to meet the human resource market demand and the nation’s aspiration, KIGS offers programmes that are relevant to industry needs by teaching skills which conform to industry needs, particularly in the creative industry.
“Education in the creative arts such as design and visual arts will be able to produce culture-minded individuals who are able to practise the arts and explore their creative, innovative and inventive souls as well as stretch their aesthetic talents.
“The college delivers this education in accordance with the nation’s Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) philosophy and stressing on the students’ development based on country’s needs,” he said.
“As an institution that has a good creative and arts faculty, KIGS is able to produce productive, industry-ready graduates.
“The college’s collaborative ties with industry, both local and abroad, help achieve this goal as well.
“Creativity and innovation play important roles in a country’s success in the modern era, and to develop these qualities in our people, a strong education system is needed.”
The minister noted that the steps taken by the college to add creative and innovative elements in its curriculum to satisfy industry needs coincides with the development of the country’s National Education System for the 21st Century (SPN21), which is one of the key thrusts of Brunei Vision 2035.
He made special mention of one of the ‘Global Campus’ modules offered by the college, where participating students are exposed to the ins and outs of the business and trade world on both the regional and international arena.
International exposure, the minister said, “is highly beneficial in imbuing within the students vital entrepreneurship skills”, and “produce students instilled with global thinking and competitiveness”.
“Because of this, it is important for our education institutions to constantly go into collaborations with their counterpart institutions abroad…these efforts will be beneficial in terms of enhancing the institution’s research capabilities and in technology transfer,” he said.
The minister also reminded the graduates to focus fully on the next step of their education and take full advantage of the learning opportunity while it still exists to gain knowledge and hone their talents as best possible, before they finally make it out into the working world.
“In facing this ever-changing and increasingly competitive global job market, there is a whole lot of new knowledge and skills that you all must acquire. Once you embark on your careers, you need to put forth your best professional efforts, as in this competitive world, only the best will succeed,” he said.