Brunei probes reasons for slow economic diversification
Sobrina Rosli
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Think-tank gets expert help to examine what ails process
THE Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies (CSPS) has engaged two consultants to help look into the causes of the slow pace in Brunei's march to economic diversification.
The results of the two separate research studies carried out by Manu Bhaskaran of Centennial Asia Advisers from Singapore and Dr Mark Crosby, associate dean at the Melbourne Business School from Australia, will be presented during a roundtable soon.
Dr Crosby came up with several recommendations on bureaucracy and public sector reforms. His findings cover issues on red tape, expertise proportion in the government sector as well as income and benefit concession.
In his research he underlined the significance of human resource reform and the expansion of the local university and the availability of other type of educational institutions with offerings such as young entrepreneur programmes.
Bhaskaran's recommendations include a call to ease opportunities in the local business setting. This would allow the strengthening of the corporate sector and strategies to improve Brunei's chances to lure foreign direct investments.
Bhaskaran also stressed on the importance of the human capital supporting Brunei's economic diversification initiatives in the long run.
In an interview with The Brunei Times, Dr Azaharaini Mohd Jamil, executive director at CSPS, said he regards the availability of information as a core factor towards future innovation while enhancing decision making at all government levels.
"When you have no data or information then you are ... reluctant to make decisions. This goes to various levels of planning. If you want to plan, you would need facts and figures," he said.
He also noted the absence of motivation amongst Bruneians "to want or initiate change", saying that most Bruneians, when they see don't see reward prospects, would not see the need to change.
This creates "roadblocks" in various levels within the government sector, said Dr Azaharaini.
"People at higher levels, we find, are open minded. They want to change, making statements to change," he said.
"It is those who are implementing it who are probably not well advised creating a roadblock in an old run system," he added.
Another element is the level of coordination amongst the relevant agencies.
"It is not to say it is not coordinated, but it is not well coordinated. The result sometimes is the duplication of efforts and resources. Ministries doing the same thing when efforts can actually be combined," he said.
Dr Azaharaini also raised concerns about impartiality in decision-making in Brunei.
"Brunei is a small society. The goal in any decision-making here is to try and please and meet the needs of everyone," he said.
In bigger countries, impartiality is easier to achieve, he said. "When they are able to satisfy the needs of 80 per cent of their stakeholders, it is already considered good enough," he said.
"In the Brunei context, that 20 per cent you ignore could be a relative, making it hard for some to make decisions, slowing down the process. As far as possible satisfy the needs of everyone. (But) it is not possible," he said
Brunei's think-tank CSPS will be holding a Brunei Economic Diversification Roundtable on June 4. The event will be organised by the centre in collaboration with Asia Inc Forum. The one-day event will allow researchers to present their findings followed by commentators responding to their findings and recommendations.
The Brunei Times
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Vocational, technical schools offer golden opportunities
'Vocational, technical schools offer golden opportunities'
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
ENROLLING in vocational and technical schools is a "golden" opportunity not to be wasted, some 156 students waiting for slots in the July intake were told yesterday.
In briefing the students, Ibrahim Hj Abdul Rahman, assistant director of the Technical Education Department, advised the students of Penilaian Menengah Bawah to "change their attitude" when studying at technical and vocational schools and grab whatever opportunities are available.
The briefing was meant to give the students and their parents the opportunity to understand available courses, policy guidelines and rules and regulations pertaining to technical and vocational training. It also served as a platform for parents to interact with senior officers from Technical Department and principals of respective institutions.
The students had failed to get into the programmes offered for the February 2008 intake, but were channelled to the July 2008 intake as instructed by the Ministry of Education.
Mariah Hj Abdul Manaf, senior education officer of the Technical Education Department, said the students will be channelled into available programmes.
These include National Trade Certificate Grade 3 in accommodation, fish husbandry, food processing, plumbing, furniture and cabinet making, hairdressing and beauty, painting and decorating, welding and fabrication and National Vocational Certificate in Clerical Studies.
The students will be randomly selected and enrolled in any of the following schools: Sultan Saiful Rijal Technical College, Wasan Vocational School, Nakhoda Ragam Vocational School, Business School or Jefri Bolkiah Engineering College.
The briefing was held at the Jubli Perak Hall of Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah Nursing College.
Principals from the various vocational and technical schools were also present. (JQR1)
The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
ENROLLING in vocational and technical schools is a "golden" opportunity not to be wasted, some 156 students waiting for slots in the July intake were told yesterday.
In briefing the students, Ibrahim Hj Abdul Rahman, assistant director of the Technical Education Department, advised the students of Penilaian Menengah Bawah to "change their attitude" when studying at technical and vocational schools and grab whatever opportunities are available.
The briefing was meant to give the students and their parents the opportunity to understand available courses, policy guidelines and rules and regulations pertaining to technical and vocational training. It also served as a platform for parents to interact with senior officers from Technical Department and principals of respective institutions.
The students had failed to get into the programmes offered for the February 2008 intake, but were channelled to the July 2008 intake as instructed by the Ministry of Education.
Mariah Hj Abdul Manaf, senior education officer of the Technical Education Department, said the students will be channelled into available programmes.
These include National Trade Certificate Grade 3 in accommodation, fish husbandry, food processing, plumbing, furniture and cabinet making, hairdressing and beauty, painting and decorating, welding and fabrication and National Vocational Certificate in Clerical Studies.
The students will be randomly selected and enrolled in any of the following schools: Sultan Saiful Rijal Technical College, Wasan Vocational School, Nakhoda Ragam Vocational School, Business School or Jefri Bolkiah Engineering College.
The briefing was held at the Jubli Perak Hall of Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah Nursing College.
Principals from the various vocational and technical schools were also present. (JQR1)
The Brunei Times
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Jobless rate rising in Asean, says ILO
Jobless rate rising in Asean, says ILO
HADI DP MAHMUD
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Thursday, May 17, 2007
b>But figure skewed by Indonesia which has the region's largest labour force
MORE than 27 million jobs were created from year 2000 to last year in Southeast Asia, according to a report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
This represents an 11 per cent increase in total employment in the region, which stood at 263 million last year, the ILO said the report, which is a compilation of comprehensive employment and social statistics including labour productivity, employment by sector and the informal economy of Asean countries. It is the first of its kind, said the ILO.
The report stated that young people in the Asean region are being "disproportionately affected" in terms of unemployment.
The unemployment rate in Asean rose from 5 per cent to 6.6 per cent over the same period. However, this figure is skewed by the situation in Indonesia, which has the region's largest labour force. Unemployment in the world's most populous Muslim nation rose from 6.1 to 10.4 per cent.
According to the Brunei Darussalam Key Indicators 2006, there were 7,300 jobseekers in the sultanate last year. The unemployment rate in Brunei shot up 0.8 per cent from 2004 to 2005, and declined 0.3 per cent last year.
The United Nations-specialised agency called for Asean to increase labour productivity and narrow development gaps between members to ensure sustainable growth and build a thriving community by 2015.
The 107-page report, entitled Labour and Social Trends in Asean 2007: Integration, Challenges, Opportunities, warns that although unemployment is commonly seen as an important indicator, other crucial aspects of labour market performance deserve more attention. These include gender gaps, labour productivity, working conditions, the growing informal economy and the working poor. Despite recent economic growth, the region remains home to millions of poor.
Last year, more than half of Asean's 262 million workers earned less than US$2 per day, which leaves them and their families below the poverty line.
"What matters therefore, when evaluating labour market trends is not just the level of employment but also its nature and quality," the report stated.
The ILO warned Asean of its labour productivity, which is lagging far behind productivity bursts in India and China. Between 2000 and 2005, output per worker in Asean grew only 15.5 per cent compared to 26.9 in India and 63.4 per cent in China. "Because of its strong export-orientation, productivity growth is critical to Asean. Accelerating productivity growth is therefore essential, not only for competitiveness but for job creation and poverty reduction," the report noted.
Cross-border labour migration is being driven by uneven labour supply and persistent development gaps, the report added. In 2005, the total number of migrants originating from Asean was estimated at 13.5 million, 39 per cent of whom were in other Asean member countries.
"The large and growing number of irregular migrants means that managing migration and ensuring migrants' protection are becoming pressing issues a major task that Asean has now taken up with its recent Declaration and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers," the organisation said.
The Brunei Times
HADI DP MAHMUD
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Thursday, May 17, 2007
b>But figure skewed by Indonesia which has the region's largest labour force
MORE than 27 million jobs were created from year 2000 to last year in Southeast Asia, according to a report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
This represents an 11 per cent increase in total employment in the region, which stood at 263 million last year, the ILO said the report, which is a compilation of comprehensive employment and social statistics including labour productivity, employment by sector and the informal economy of Asean countries. It is the first of its kind, said the ILO.
The report stated that young people in the Asean region are being "disproportionately affected" in terms of unemployment.
The unemployment rate in Asean rose from 5 per cent to 6.6 per cent over the same period. However, this figure is skewed by the situation in Indonesia, which has the region's largest labour force. Unemployment in the world's most populous Muslim nation rose from 6.1 to 10.4 per cent.
According to the Brunei Darussalam Key Indicators 2006, there were 7,300 jobseekers in the sultanate last year. The unemployment rate in Brunei shot up 0.8 per cent from 2004 to 2005, and declined 0.3 per cent last year.
The United Nations-specialised agency called for Asean to increase labour productivity and narrow development gaps between members to ensure sustainable growth and build a thriving community by 2015.
The 107-page report, entitled Labour and Social Trends in Asean 2007: Integration, Challenges, Opportunities, warns that although unemployment is commonly seen as an important indicator, other crucial aspects of labour market performance deserve more attention. These include gender gaps, labour productivity, working conditions, the growing informal economy and the working poor. Despite recent economic growth, the region remains home to millions of poor.
Last year, more than half of Asean's 262 million workers earned less than US$2 per day, which leaves them and their families below the poverty line.
"What matters therefore, when evaluating labour market trends is not just the level of employment but also its nature and quality," the report stated.
The ILO warned Asean of its labour productivity, which is lagging far behind productivity bursts in India and China. Between 2000 and 2005, output per worker in Asean grew only 15.5 per cent compared to 26.9 in India and 63.4 per cent in China. "Because of its strong export-orientation, productivity growth is critical to Asean. Accelerating productivity growth is therefore essential, not only for competitiveness but for job creation and poverty reduction," the report noted.
Cross-border labour migration is being driven by uneven labour supply and persistent development gaps, the report added. In 2005, the total number of migrants originating from Asean was estimated at 13.5 million, 39 per cent of whom were in other Asean member countries.
"The large and growing number of irregular migrants means that managing migration and ensuring migrants' protection are becoming pressing issues a major task that Asean has now taken up with its recent Declaration and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers," the organisation said.
The Brunei Times
Monday, May 5, 2008
Dusuns' assimilation into national culture a continuing process
Dusuns' assimilation into national culture a continuing process
Cultural show: A Dusun performing the traditional dance during the 'Adau Gayoh' celebration at International Convention Centre, Berakas. Picture: Saifulizam
HADI DP MAHMUD
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, May 5, 2008
THE Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports reminded Dusuns to support and uphold the national philosophy, Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB), as Dusuns nationwide congregated at the International Convention Centre yesterday to celebrate Adau Gayoh, a traditional thanksgiving ceremony to mark the end of the harvesting season.
"For the culture of ethnic clans in this country, including the Dusuns, the process of acculturation and assimilation will keep on continuing where the national philosophy of MIB is dominant in structuring the country's culture," said Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Mohammad Hj Daud.
"Coherently, in several matters, pure characteristics in the culture of ethnic clans can be accepted in the national culture, whether through the process of acculturation or assimilation — as long as it does not clash with MIB," said the minister at the launching of the golden jubilee of Pakatan Sang Jati Dusun (PSJD).
PSJD, a Dusun community association set up in 1958, is actively involved in developing and promoting the Dusun cultural heritage in Brunei.
The event was also to celebrate Adau Gayoh, seen as the peak day symbolising the gratitude of the Dusun society towards the results of a satisfying harvest.
According to tradition, the Dusun society have always cultivated paddy, which has always been the main source of income.
In the past, paddy harvests embody meaning and profound allegories amongst members of the Dusun society. Ritual events linked to paddy harvesting symbolise harmony, unity, understanding and survival in a moderate and limited environment.
"The Dusuns are one of the seven ethnic clans which colour the cultural landscape in this country. The wealth of its traditions, language and culture, needs to be preserved and refined suitable with the theme of this year's Adau Gayoh celebrations, 'Enriching culture, Empowering the nation'," said Pehin OKSD Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Mohammad.
The minister expressed belief that the identity of the Dusun society can be expanded into something unique, not only for the Dusuns, but also as a form of national heritage.
"With its pure characteristics, culture is the stronghold to stop the influential flow of a foreign culture. The virtue of a culture will be proven if it can endure the influences of a foreign culture," he said.
PSJD individuals who have had remarkable contributions to the community were rewarded with certificates of appreciation, medals and plaques in recognition of their efforts. The event also saw the Department of Community Development (JAPEM) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, receive donations from the Dusun association.
The Brunei Times
Cultural show: A Dusun performing the traditional dance during the 'Adau Gayoh' celebration at International Convention Centre, Berakas. Picture: Saifulizam
HADI DP MAHMUD
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, May 5, 2008
THE Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports reminded Dusuns to support and uphold the national philosophy, Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB), as Dusuns nationwide congregated at the International Convention Centre yesterday to celebrate Adau Gayoh, a traditional thanksgiving ceremony to mark the end of the harvesting season.
"For the culture of ethnic clans in this country, including the Dusuns, the process of acculturation and assimilation will keep on continuing where the national philosophy of MIB is dominant in structuring the country's culture," said Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Mohammad Hj Daud.
"Coherently, in several matters, pure characteristics in the culture of ethnic clans can be accepted in the national culture, whether through the process of acculturation or assimilation — as long as it does not clash with MIB," said the minister at the launching of the golden jubilee of Pakatan Sang Jati Dusun (PSJD).
PSJD, a Dusun community association set up in 1958, is actively involved in developing and promoting the Dusun cultural heritage in Brunei.
The event was also to celebrate Adau Gayoh, seen as the peak day symbolising the gratitude of the Dusun society towards the results of a satisfying harvest.
According to tradition, the Dusun society have always cultivated paddy, which has always been the main source of income.
In the past, paddy harvests embody meaning and profound allegories amongst members of the Dusun society. Ritual events linked to paddy harvesting symbolise harmony, unity, understanding and survival in a moderate and limited environment.
"The Dusuns are one of the seven ethnic clans which colour the cultural landscape in this country. The wealth of its traditions, language and culture, needs to be preserved and refined suitable with the theme of this year's Adau Gayoh celebrations, 'Enriching culture, Empowering the nation'," said Pehin OKSD Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Mohammad.
The minister expressed belief that the identity of the Dusun society can be expanded into something unique, not only for the Dusuns, but also as a form of national heritage.
"With its pure characteristics, culture is the stronghold to stop the influential flow of a foreign culture. The virtue of a culture will be proven if it can endure the influences of a foreign culture," he said.
PSJD individuals who have had remarkable contributions to the community were rewarded with certificates of appreciation, medals and plaques in recognition of their efforts. The event also saw the Department of Community Development (JAPEM) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, receive donations from the Dusun association.
The Brunei Times
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Education plans
World View
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Education plans
The Yomiuri Shimbun
THE GOVERNMENT must set out in numerical form its planned investment in education and its academic improvement targets as part of its efforts to improve our schools, so the public can more easily understand them.
The Central Council for Education, an advisory organ to the education, science and technology minister, has compiled a report concerning the basic education promotion plan. The plan is the first of its kind and lays out the government's mid- and long-term education policy targets. Based on the revised Fundamental Law of Education, the plan will incorporate educational aims for the next decade and measures to be introduced over the next five years.
However, the council's recommendations lack specifics, failing, for example, to state how much money will need to be spent to improve the quality of education provided in classrooms across the nation. Since local municipalities will draw up their plans based on the government's plan, we hope the Central Council for Education will release a more detailed version of the plan before sending it to the Cabinet for approval.
The most noticeable aspect of the plan is its call for increased investment in the nation's education system, which experts have noted is lower than in many other countries. The report, despite having the subtitle 'The Realisation of a Nation Built on Education', describes planned investment in an abstract manner, stating, "By securing financial revenue streams needed for the (education) budget, we will strive to enrich investment in education to achieve educational standards comparable to those of the United States and major European nations."
Under the new teaching guidelines, both school hours and the amount of content studied will increase. The new teaching guidelines will be implemented at primary schools in fiscal 2011 and middle schools in fiscal 2012. However, for science and mathematics both the number of school hours and the amount taught will drastically increase from next fiscal year as a transition measure to full-scale implementation of the new measures. To ensure the new teaching guidelines can be successfully implemented, the number of teachers must be increased. However, in this regard, the Central Council for Education's recommendations only state, "Preparations to improve conditions, including an increase of the quota of teachers, will be steadily made."
In basic educational plans drawn up by other countries as well as those drawn up by local municipalities, targets, including those for academic achievement, are often specified. In Britain, the basic educational plan states that during the five years ending in 2008, the percentage of 11-year-olds who achieve a standardised level in the fields of English and mathematics in nationwide achievement tests should hit 85 per cent. Plans in Finland, France and others also include such numerical targets.
By fiscal 2011, Okinawa Prefecture aims to ensure an average grade of 70 per cent is achieved by students sitting nationwide achievement tests in Japanese, mathematics or arithmetic for sixth-graders in primary schools and third-year students in middle schools. If the government includes specific targets in its plan, we believe its educational targets can be achieved.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Education plans
The Yomiuri Shimbun
THE GOVERNMENT must set out in numerical form its planned investment in education and its academic improvement targets as part of its efforts to improve our schools, so the public can more easily understand them.
The Central Council for Education, an advisory organ to the education, science and technology minister, has compiled a report concerning the basic education promotion plan. The plan is the first of its kind and lays out the government's mid- and long-term education policy targets. Based on the revised Fundamental Law of Education, the plan will incorporate educational aims for the next decade and measures to be introduced over the next five years.
However, the council's recommendations lack specifics, failing, for example, to state how much money will need to be spent to improve the quality of education provided in classrooms across the nation. Since local municipalities will draw up their plans based on the government's plan, we hope the Central Council for Education will release a more detailed version of the plan before sending it to the Cabinet for approval.
The most noticeable aspect of the plan is its call for increased investment in the nation's education system, which experts have noted is lower than in many other countries. The report, despite having the subtitle 'The Realisation of a Nation Built on Education', describes planned investment in an abstract manner, stating, "By securing financial revenue streams needed for the (education) budget, we will strive to enrich investment in education to achieve educational standards comparable to those of the United States and major European nations."
Under the new teaching guidelines, both school hours and the amount of content studied will increase. The new teaching guidelines will be implemented at primary schools in fiscal 2011 and middle schools in fiscal 2012. However, for science and mathematics both the number of school hours and the amount taught will drastically increase from next fiscal year as a transition measure to full-scale implementation of the new measures. To ensure the new teaching guidelines can be successfully implemented, the number of teachers must be increased. However, in this regard, the Central Council for Education's recommendations only state, "Preparations to improve conditions, including an increase of the quota of teachers, will be steadily made."
In basic educational plans drawn up by other countries as well as those drawn up by local municipalities, targets, including those for academic achievement, are often specified. In Britain, the basic educational plan states that during the five years ending in 2008, the percentage of 11-year-olds who achieve a standardised level in the fields of English and mathematics in nationwide achievement tests should hit 85 per cent. Plans in Finland, France and others also include such numerical targets.
By fiscal 2011, Okinawa Prefecture aims to ensure an average grade of 70 per cent is achieved by students sitting nationwide achievement tests in Japanese, mathematics or arithmetic for sixth-graders in primary schools and third-year students in middle schools. If the government includes specific targets in its plan, we believe its educational targets can be achieved.
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