Aspiring for better gender equity
By Dk Ida Nurul-Fitri Pg Hj Kahar

Group photo taken with the Director of ITB, Hj Mohd Yusra bin Hj Abd Halim (3rd R)
Photo by Zainal HJ 

In this new millennium, more and more empowerment groups have been set up, working together for an equitable society that is not gender-biased. Recently, a group of Asean woman underwent a two-week course to better understand gender issues in VTET (Vocational, Technical and Educational Training) from March 17 to 29.

Other objectives of the two-week course were to enable the participants to use gender analysis and planning tools in their respective countries.

Unfortunately, there were no male participants at the course, for otherwise, the different situations presented could have been observed from both male and female points of view.

The group consisted of 20 women from various Asean countries; 2 women each from the PDR of Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia,Malaysia and Cambodia, 3 from Thailand, 1 from Myanmar and 4 from the host country, Brunei Darussalam.

All participants were from various working backgrounds, hence producing a better discussion with different aspects from directors of VTET institutions, policy makers, curriculum developers, teacher trainers and teachers.

On March 25, the participants visited the only institution in Brunei which provides Higher National Diploma courses - the Institute of Technology Brunei.

The Registrar, Extra Curricular Office, Student Welfare Officer and other staff were present at the brief PowerPoint presentation on the institute's organisational structure, entry requirements, number of staff and students as well as the 5 courses it is running at present.

The most vital information for participants was definitely the number of female and male staff and students in different courses. This sort of data in segregation is helpful for analysis and can be used to help produce strategies, either for short or long-term, on how to aspire for better gender equity in the future.

Fortunately, Brunei Darussalam does not discriminate either in the acceptance of student applicants or in employing women lecturers as staff members to the institute.

A short question and answer session was held with the Director of ITB, Cikgu Haji Mohd Yusra bin Haji Abdul Halim followed by some light refreshments. Ibu Rina, the course coordinator, presented the Director with a copy of the latest journal from SEAMEO-Voctech.

There was a photo session at the entrance and later a tour to the three Engineering Departments was made together with a group of male lecturers.

With the Electrical and Communications Department being the last stop, the tour came to an end.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin