Health Ministry Signs Training Agreement With NZ University
By Azaraimy HH

Bandar Seri Begawan - Deputy Health Minister, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraj a Dato Paduka Awang Hj Hazair bin Hj Abdullah. led a delegation from the Health Ministry on an official visit to the University of Otago in New Zealand on April 8-12. 2008.

During the visit the Ministry of Health and University of Otago signed an. agreement on April 11. 2008.

In a press release, the Health Ministry said the agreement is on training of health personnel; doctors, nurses and allied health professionals in various areas of specialisation. The signing of this agreement further signifies the close bilateral relations between the two parties, the ministry said.

The ministry pointed out that the signing signifies an avenue of along term partnership that will explore and expand possibilities of training opportunities, and the University of Otago playing the role as a strong focal point to future linkages between the Ministry of Health of Brunei Darussalam to other training institutions and centres of excellence in New Zealand.

The press release said, "The University of Otago as one of the finest training institutions in New Zealand with a long history of milestone achievements in terms of quality training, education and a leading institution in clinical researching, which will be able to offer Brunei Darussalam the 'required niche'."

According to the press release, international collaboration between Brunei Darussaiam with the University of Otago dates back to more than a decade ago. Prior to the signing of this as the Ministry of Education of Brunei Darussalam had signed an agreement with the University of Otago on May 18. 1998 and a second signing in 2006. for undergraduate training in Medicine and Dentistry.

The press release said, "Through this collaboration, two cohorts of successful finalisation have been witnessed, each of medical and dental graduates, who have since returned home to Brunei Darussalam and now working under the employment of the Ministry of Health of Brunei Darussalam in various clinical areas of medical and dental subspecialties."

The press release said that under the scholarship of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's Government, there are 45 Bruneians students in Dunedin, five in Wellington and seven in Christchurch.

The Deputy Health Minister and his delegation also visited the Auckland University of Technology on April 10, 2008 to explore training infrastructure and opportunities for allied health professionals of the Ministry of Health in paramedic, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and podiatry.

On April 15, 2008, the Deputy Health Minister also met up with Bruneian medical students at the Royal Brisbane Hospital, Australia. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News

Brunei's Fastest Growing Website with