| Fizah HAB |
THE Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department (BDMD) yesterday presented Aeronautical Meteorological Personnel Competency certificates to 25 personnel who passed it First Cycle of Competency Assessment at the D’Anggerek Serviced Apartment, Berakas.
Guest of honour Minister of Communications Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohammad Yusof presented the certificates.
The minister said that the increase in meteorological skills among locals is an achievement that the country should be proud of.
“These advances are very relevant in today’s digital economy era, where accurate, fast and reliable information dissemination through the latest technologies is essential in facilitating the availability or preparedness of the public in addressing extreme weather conditions,” he said.
The 25 certificate recipients comprise four aeronautical meteorological forecasters and 21 aeronautical meteorological observers involved in meteorological aviation duties at Brunei International Airport.
The Competency Assessment is one of the activities of the BDMD’s Competency Management System, which aims to ensure that all meteorological officers and observers in the country are competent in providing the services.
The implementation of this assessment is BDMD’s commitment to meeting the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
As a member of the ICAO and WMO, Brunei Darussalam has the responsibility and obligation to ensure that meteorological services provided to all aviation stakeholders operating at Brunei International Airport are of international standards and comply with the standards of competency, quality and safety of international best practices.
The Competency Assessment, conducted every three years, is meant to help BDMD meet its operational objectives and enhance the quality of flight safety services at Brunei International Airport.
It also ensures that every aeronautical meteorological forecaster and aeronautical meteorological observer working at Brunei International Airport meets the performance criteria of individual tasks, and that the skills and abilities of locals working at the airport are enhanced to international standards.
Also present during yesterday’s ceremony were Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications (MinCom) Haji Azhar bin Haji Ahmad; Deputy Permanent Secretary at the MinCom Dr Haji Supry bin Haji Awang Ladi; directors, heads of departments and senior officials at the MinCom as well as officials of other government agencies and airlines operating at Brunei International Airport.