IGS COLEGE RECORDS 100 PERCENT INCRASE IN SEPTEMBER ENROLMENT (BT)

by Quratul-Ain Bandial

ENROLMENT at the International Graduate Studies (IGS) College has increased by more than 100 per cent after the scholarship scheme for private technical and vocational institutions was introduced last July.

IGS College Registrar Mohamad Abu Bakar said the college had received 347 new students under the government-sponsored scheme.

"Our enrolment has more than doubled since the introduction of the new scheme," he told The Brunei Times during an orientation programme for the new intake yesterday.

Mohamad added that the scheme would give opportunities to school-leavers with only three or four 'O' level credits who have been shut out of government-run technical and vocational schools due to stiff competition for limited places.

"Under the scholarship scheme, school leavers will have a chance to pursue tertiary education," he said. "Under the country's vision 2035 each individual citizen must have some kind of qualification and must be employable. This scheme will give rise to a skilled population and lessen unemployment among school-leavers."

The scholarship scheme provides financial assistance to those who cannot afford high tuition fees for higher education in the private sector. Under the scheme, Brunei citizens will enjoy full sponsorship of tuition fees with a monthly transportation allowance of $45, while tuition fees will be heavily subsidised for permanent residents.

IGS College is one of five local institutions selected to house the scholarship students, along with Cosmopolitan College of Commerce and Technology, Kemuda Institute, Laksamana College of Business and Micronet International College.

IGS College offers certificate, pre-diploma, national diploma and higher national diploma programmes in business, computing in finance. Fees can range from $2,400 to $3,600 per annum.

During the orientation, IGS College CEO Pg Hjh Fatimah Pengiran Setia Jaya Pg Hj Abdul Momin, urged new scholarship students not to squander the opportunity given by the government.

"As educators, we are entrusted with the responsibility of moulding and shaping our students, amongst whom are you; the younger generation of this nation, to become future leaders, managers, entrepreneurs and whatever areas that you are interested in."

The scheme was one out of the three educational schemes announced by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam during his 65th birthday titah on July 15.

Approximately $100 million has been allocated to the scheme and to date 1,104 scholarships have been awarded.

The Brunei Times

IGS COLLEGE HOLDS TAHLIL CEREMONY (BT)

THE International Graduate Studies College (Kolej IGS) Brunei Darussalam held a Tahlil ceremony at its campus premises in Kiulap on Thursday.

The event was held in conjunction with the holy month of Ramadhan.

Officiating at the ceremony was the CEO and Chairperson of Board of Directors of IGS college Pg Hjh Fatimah Pg Setia Jaya Pg Haji Abdul Momin.

Also present at the event were members of the board of directors, faculty staff and students.

IGS College is the first private higher education institution in Brunei to introduce four new undergraduate degree programmes namely: Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours), Bachelor of Business (Honours) Accounting, Bachelor of Science (Honours) Information Technology and Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Software Engineering. IGS College is also known for being the first private college in Brunei to offer a full three-year degree programme for the students.

The Brunei Times

IGS HOLDS TAHLIL FOR RAMADHAN (BB)

By Syah D

The International Graduate Studies College (IGS) Brunei Darussalam yesterday organised a tahlil at its campus building in Kiulap.

The CEO and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of IGS College, Pengiran Hajah Fatimah binti Pengiran Setia Jaya Pengiran Haji Abdul Momin was the guest of honour.

Among attendees were members of the Board of Directors, faculty, staff and a large number of students. The ceremony was held for the upcoming month of Ramadhan, which will commence in a few days time.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

EDUCATIONAL VISIT FROM IGS COLLEGE BRUNEI DARUSSALAM (FB)

University Library had received twelve visitors from International Graduate Studies College of Brunei Darussalam on Tuesday, 12 July 2011 headed by Ms Francisca Wu. The objectives of the visit were to improve their reading habits and to learn on how to search readings and research materials in University Library by using the library's facilities and services in order to help them in their academic development.

The visit was welcomed by Awang Haji Abdullah bin Haji Tahir, Head of Lending Services Division, UBD. The briefing presented by Awang Haji Abdullah was held at e-Resource Room, second floor, on the university library's background, facilities, collections and services that are available in the library. The tours were led by Awang Haji Jumat bin Haji Ahmad, Assistant Library Officer Grade 1. The visitors were given a tour of the university library's floors. At the end of the visit, the visitors had signed the Library guest’s book and had a group photo for remembrance.

The visitors thanked for the great hospitality, the knowledgeable and fruitful UBD Library tour. It has been very helpful and inspiration to IGSC students.

- Library@UBD (Facebook)

IGS COLLEGE SPECIAL AWARD (RTB)

Determination and courage to achieve academic qualifications inspired three International Graduate Studies, I-G-S College students in clinching the Best Student Award and Special Award. The I-G-S College Special Award was given to excellent and exemplary students throughout the course of their studies despite the various challenges they faced.

The I-G-S College Mentor Award recipient was Awang Haji Mohammad Zulhilmi bin Haji Zaini. The Award was for good academic achievement and contributed firm leadership to the College.

Courtesy of RTB

BRUNEI SHOULD AIM TO BE COMPETITVE (BT)

by Sharleen Othman

'To be a place of choice' for investments, high standards of living

BRUNEI should strive to be a competitive nation and a centre for international activities, Minister of Communications, Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdullah, said yesterday.

"If we are a competitive nation, then Brunei will be a place of choice, a place where others are keen to invest and we would have high standards of living and high availability of jobs," Pehin Dato Hj Abdullah told The Brunei Times.

Present as guest of honour at the International Graduate Studies College (IGS College) Brunei convocation, the minister said good communication links are necessary in achieving such goals.

"Basically we want to make Brunei a centre of things," he said.

Following a signing on April 28 with Malaysian company Booz & Co Sdn Bhd, a 13-week study will be conducted on Brunei's transportation and logistics system. The study is aimed at possibly creating Brunei as a logistics hub in the region.

"We want people to come and go from Brunei and conduct businesses in Brunei," adding, any cooperation from neighbouring countries to achieve this vision is welcomed.

The minister aspires for Brunei to have good transport and communications links. "Good internal transport links are prerequisite to facilitate and promote economic and social activities locally while international transport links are indispensable to the economic development, logistics and trade activities," he said.

Pehin Dato Hj Abdullah further said that Brunei was currently lacking behind in terms of advancements in ICT as compared to other countries. "We are looking at ways to make access better by cooperating with other agencies."

He said that good communications, especially telecommunications, were a must in this digital era, adding that such links are "the lifeblood of trade, transaction and banking and other economic activities."

The Brunei Times