| By June Ong
The exchanging of documents between the Assistant
Vice-Chancellor of UBD, Dr Hj Kassim (L) and the Dean, Faculty
of Science, University of Windsor, Dr Rick Caron.
The twinning programme signing
ceremony of the Letter of Intent between Universiti Brunei
Darussalam (UBD) and University of Windsor, Canada was held at
the Computer Services Centre, UBD yesterday.
The Assistant Vice-Chancellor
of UBD, Dr Haji Kassim Bin Haji Daud signed on behalf of UBD
while Dr Rick Caron, Dean, Faculty of Science of the University
of Windsor signed on behalf of his University. Welcoming remarks
were made by Dr Haji Kassim Bin Haji Daud.
He said that the twinning
arrangement being worked out by Universiti Brunei Darussalam and
the University of Windsor will allow students to acquire a
Bachelor degree in Biotechnology awarded by the University of
Windsor.
Students will spend two years
at UBD and proceed to the University of Windsor to complete
their final two years where they may choose to specialise in
either the Chemistry or Biology stream of Biotechnology.
Besides catering for
government-sponsored students the programme is expected to be
very attractive to both local and overseas fee-paying students
as this will mean substantial cost-saving to parents due to the
competitively low fees charged by UBD.
Twinning programmes offer an
opportunity for UBD to address the country's need for highly
educated manpower in many areas, particularly for those in which
the need for specialists is limited.
The field of Biotechnology is
one such area, and Dr Haji Kassim hope that the graduates from
the programme will return to Brunei Darussalam fully aware of
their opportunities and responsibilities to contribute to the
development of the country.
He added that the signing of
the Letter of Intent was very timely, considering the increasing
importance of Biotechnology as an industry with the potential to
generate employment for many nations in the world today.
The Assistant Vice-Chancellor
of UBD in his concluding remarks said that the signing ceremony
would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of
several individuals.
He expressed his thanks to the
High Commissioner of Canada to the country, Neil Reeder, Dani
Zaretsky and Dean Caron and their faculty staff at the
University of Windsor. He also thanked Dean Edwards and his team
at the Faculty of Science, UBD for their perseverance and
persistence in piecing together a workable twinning arrangement,
which the University hoped to implement by the next academic
year.
The assistant Vice-Chancellor
also showed his gratitude and appreciation to the Bill Graham,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada and Pehin Orang Kaya Laila
Wijaya Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abd Aziz, Minister of
Education for finding time during their busy schedules to
witness and grace yesterday's signing ceremony.
Also present at the signing
ceremony were principal Officers of UBD.
Prior to the signing ceremony,
Bill Graham, Minister of Foreign Affairs in his remarks said the
twinning programme will give students the opportunity to deepen
their knowledge in Biotechnology through studies in Brunei and
Canada.
The Minister added that through
the expansion of academic linkages such as the agreement being
signed yesterday, young people from Brunei can have the chance
to study in Canada, while Canadian students can meet young
people from countries such as Brunei, representing diverse
culture and backgrounds from overseas.
He encouraged more Bruneian
students to study in Canada, including UBD students looking for
graduate studies programmes overseas as Canada offers high
quality education in a welcoming, multicultural environment. The
signing ceremony was concluded with the exchange of souvenirs
between the two parties.
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