Jefri Bolkiah Students Move Into New Hostel
By Liza Mohd

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam through the Ministry of Education has been spending a total of B$218,562.56 a year for food and drink expenses at the Jefri Bolkiah College of Engineering, the Chief of Food and Hostel Services Section (BPPA) at the Ministry of Education said yesterday.

Hj Abd Aziz bin Hj Nayan was speaking as guest of honour at a blessing ceremony to mark the moving in of students to the new hostel built at the school premises. He based the statistic on the BPPA claims and expenses.

The guest of honour in his speech said the issue was purposely mentioned to create awareness to students in order to appreciate the benefits of the expenses given to them for free.

The expenses, which do not include manpower, reflect the care and attention of His Majesty' Government in providing convenience and assistance to His Majesty's subjects.

"Therefore it is vital that we appreciate and value the facilities given, particularly the new hostel. Do not abandon, vandalise and waste the free facilities as the hostel would be utilised by students in future," added Hj Abd Aziz.

Built at an estimated cost of B$6.8 million, the new hostel can accommodate up to 228 students. The building began construction in mid-2004 under the 8' National Development Plan and was completed this year.

The guest of honour also noted that in the era of globalisation, one issue that is left unattended is the student's humanity skills. "Humanity skills, in my opinion, are one of the factors which led to the unemployment of students and graduates today," he said.

"Students should realise that apart from technical, engineering or technology skills, they should also possess non-technical skills to compete in the local and international level. In this matter, students should have the skills to work in an organisation with various races, cultures and disciplines.

More than 100 guests comprising college officials and students attended the blessing ceremony. The male students will be accommodated in a 74-room four-storey hostel and the female students in a double-storey building with 37 rooms. Each room has a single adjoining bathroom and can house two students.

Facilities in the hostel compound include a dining hall, visitor's room, activity room, Surau, office and a spacious parking area. Each hostel has a male and female warden and is equipped with a security system. Smoking is not allowed in the hostel.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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