| Syazwani Hj Rosli |
A COUNTRY’S progress is usually set in motion by technological advances which also have an impact on its national policies and educational system, said Acting Ra’es of the Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) Dr Haji Adanan bin Haji Basar during the opening of the ‘Siri Bicara Pendidikan Serantau’ (Regional Education Talk Series) at the Tarbiyah Hall of KUPU SB yesterday.
The one-day event brought together experts from various higher educational institutions across the region for a discussion on issues related to the development of education, learning and technology in their countries and institutions.
Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman was the guest of honour.
Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Policy and Religious) at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) Haji Mohd Serudin bin Haji Timbang, Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) Professor Dr Hajah Zohrah binti Haji Sulaiman and senior officials were also present.
Dr Haji Adanan said the talks will briefly review, discuss and suggest the steps to be taken towards the development of community-based learning and teacher training.
“Since 2016 and in view of this age of rapid technological advancement, KUPU SB has drafted and implemented new programmes based on the goals of the university establishment, their suitability with stakeholders and the recommendation of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and Chancellor of KUPU SB,” he said.
According to the Acting Ra’es, KUPU SB has developed eight competencies which are: Knowledgeable, Practice and Cultivate, Mastering the Subjects, Mastering Pedagogy, Professionalism, Community Engagement, Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB)-Based Leadership, and Intellectual and Varied Skills.
“The implementation is focussed on academic effectiveness and character formation, in an effort to develop our students’ leadership potential,” he added.
The event continued with talks by Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris in Malaysia Professor Dato’ Dr Mohd Shatar Sabran, Deputy Rector of Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia Professor Didi Sukyadi, Officer-in-Charge, Office of the President, at the Philippine Normal University in the Philippines Dr Maria Antoinette Montealegre and Dean of the Education Faculty at Kasetsart Univeristy in Thailand Associate Professor Dr Pattamavadi Lehmongkol.
Themed ‘Pendidikan Perguruan Abad 21 dan Teknologi 4.0’ (21st Century Education and 4.0 Technology), the regional talks provide a platform for institutions of higher education to discuss current challenges and issues, in addition to sharing information on the development of teaching-learning programmes.