Australia Second Most Popular To Local Students
By Azrol Azmi

Bandar Seri Begawan - Some 740 locals opted to pursue their studies Down Under last year, with over 550 at Australian universities, showing a 10 per cent increase compared to 2003.

Mr Christian Bennett, High Commissioner of Australia in Brunei, in his welcoming remarks, said this yesterday at the launch of the "Study in Australia Education Fair" at the SEAMEO VOCTECH building in Gadong.

He added that Australia offers excellent value for money and its standard of living is among the highest in the world.

"We want Australia to be affordable and accessible to foreign students. To support this objective, international students can apply for permission to work part-time during their stay in Australia," said Bennett.

Dato Paduka Hj Sheikh Adnan bin Sheikh Mohamad, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, who was the guest of honour at the ceremony, said the ministry's data for local students studying abroad show that between 2000 and 2005, more than 400 students registered for further studies in Australian institutions, making the country the second most popular destination for students, after the United Kingdom.

He noted that education is crucial for Brunei's development, and the country is taking efforts to ensure that the educational standard provided at the institutions is high.

Dato Paduka Hj Sheikh Adnan said as certain courses are not available in the country, the government will send students overseas to obtain qualifications in the fields, adding that the Ministry of Education only sends students to recognised foreign institutions.

He also urged parents who intend to send their children for further studies abroad to seek advice from the Secretariat of Brunei Darussalam National Accreditation Council concerning foreign institutions that are recognised by Brunei Government.

The two-day education fair will come to a close today at 5.30 pm at the SEAMEO VOCTECH building in Gadong.

During the launch, AK Shamaizar Pg Shadan, a recent undergraduate from University of Queensland, offered her perspective on what it was like to be an international student in Australia.

She also highlighted Australia's proximity to Brunei, the quality of coursework, and the positive study environment in Australia.

Apart from the exhibition, there are also five seminars for visitors to attend: "Living and Studying in Australia: An Australian Government Perspective" by the Australian Education International; "Student Visa Procedures" by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs; "Living Options in Australia" by the Study Oasis; "Medical Programmes in Australia" by Griffith University; and "Engineering Studies in Australia" by Charles Darwin University. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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