Vice Chancellor Of UBD Receives French Merit Award
By Huraizah Ahmad

Bandar Seri Begawan - For the first time ever, the French Merit Award, "Order of Academic Palms", has been bestowed on a Bruneian.

French Ambassador Mr Patrick Bonneville presented the award to Dato Paduka Dr Hj Ismail bin Hj Duraman, the Vice Chancellor of UBD, during a ceremony at the residence of the ambassador yesterday.

Mr Bonneville commended Dato Paduka Dr Hj Ismail for contributing to the positive development of ties between UBD and French universities such as University of La Rochelle and University of Montpellier I.

The French Section of UBD's Language Centre has trained dozens of students. Two students are selected to go to France to improve their linguistic skills each year, said the French ambassador.

Dato Paduka Dr Hj Ismail dedicated the award to UBD officials, senate members and administrators responsible for implementing various projects and programmes whenever UBD collaborates with universities outside of the country.

The "Order of Academic Palms" is an order of Chivalry of France to academics and educators. It was originally created by Napoleon to honour eminent members of the University of Paris. It was re-established on October 4, 1955 by President Rene Coty, and is one of the world's oldest civil awards.

Originally the awards were only given to teachers or professors. In 1866, the scope of the award was widened to include major contributions to French national education made by anybody, including foreigners.

It was also made available to French nationals outside of France who had made major contributions to the expansion of French culture in the rest of the world. Decisions on nomination and promotion are made by the French Minister of Education.

Dato Paduka Dr Hj Ismail started teaching in 1974 at the age of 21. A long period of studies abroad followed, starting in Birmingham and ending in Brisbane, Australia, with a PhD in economics. He also developed a strong interest in public finance, as well as micro- and macro-economics.

He joined UBD in 1987 and moved up to a managerial level quickly. In 1999, he was appointed as Assistant Vice Chancellor and the Dean of the Business, Economics and Policy Studies Faculty in 2000. He became the Vice Chancellor of UBD in 2002. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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