Bandar Seri Begawan - Certificates of completion were presented to 28 participants in the second series of Command and Staff Course (CSC) 2012 during a closing ceremony held yesterday by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Staff College at its Officers' Mess of the Gurkha Reserve Unit at Sungai Akar Camp.

The ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat in his capacity as the guest of honour. Also present at the ceremony was the Deputy Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, commanders and representatives from embassies of the respective countries involved.

This year's participants included 14 officers from the RBAF; a civilian officer from the Ministry of Defence; an officer from the Internal Security Department; and 14 military officers from Australia, the People's Republic of Bangladesh, India, the Republic of Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Sultanate of Oman, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

The 'Overall Excellence' award was presented to Major William John McKeran of the British Army, while the Massey University Prize for Academic Excellence was awarded to Major Kwan Shee Kong Benjamin of the Republic of Singapore Air Force. On the local side, the Outstanding Contribution of the RBAF CSC Commendation Award was presented to Major Norsuriati binti Hj Sharbini from the Ministry of Defence/RBAF.

The 39-week course was facilitated in partnership With New Zealand's Massey University, which is responsible for handling the academic component of the Tri-Service course. The course aims to broaden professional and academic knowledge with regard to developing command, analytical and communication skills of mid-level officers in order to prepare them for higher command and staff appointments.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin