Brunei: 14 local students set to attend educational programmes abroad
November 11, 2005 - Posted in Online Education, Study Abroad
In the latest effort made by STEP Centre in collaboration with the Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP), fourteen local students were recently selected to participate in a series of programmes that will be held in Jakarta and Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and in Japan.
The three programmes are the 2nd International Mathematics and Science Olympiad (IMSO), the 2nd International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO) and the High School Student Exchange Programme for Japan and Asean. The fourteen students from varying levels are expected to leave the country in November and December 2005.
Brunei’s participation in the programmes signifies the Ministry of Education’s continuous efforts in upgrading Mathematics and Science education standards from primary level up to the secondary and pre-university levels. This was mentioned by the guest of honour, Hj Ishaaq bin Hj Abdullah, the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, at the thanksgiving ceremony held for the selected participants.
The ceremony was witnessed by Awg Koh Hong Puah, the Acting Head of the Science, Technology and Environment Partnership (STEP) Centre at the Ministry of Education, and Miss Masayo Tada, First Secretary at the Embassy of Japan.
The fourteen local participants include six primary school students who will participate in the 2nd IMSO and six secondary school students who are set to participate in the 2nd IJSO. The other two students will take part in the High School Student Exchange Programme for Japan and Asean.
In his speech, Awg Koh Hong Puah highlighted that the fourteen students were selected in a scheme organised by the STEP Centre.
The 2nd IMSO will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia from 12th November until 19th November 2005 and is organised by the Ministry of National Education in Indonesia. The educational event is meant to develop the talent, interest, intellectual ability and skills of primary school students in Science and Mathematics and involves the participation of Primary Six students aged less than 12 years.
The IJSO meanwhile is an annual competition for students aged not more than sixteen years by 31st December of the year of the competition. It aims to generate enthusiasts among young students for the exploration of Science. It was stated that in the 1st IJSO held in Jakarta in December 2004, three Bruneian students successfully won three bronze medals. This year’s 2nd IJSO, which is to be held in Yogyakarta from 4th December till 13th December, is organised by the Directorate of Junior Secondary Education of Indonesia in cooperation with Gajah Mada University.
The High School Student Exchange Programme for Japan and Asean is organised by AFS Japan Association Inc. Japan. The programme aims to train participants to be future leaders, to promote multilateral exchanges and mutual understanding between Japan and Asean member countries and to promote networking among participants.
During the exchange programme, participants will be involved in open panel discussions, workshops, fieldwork, study tours and home stay. They will also be attending lessons at a Japanese school. The two local participants will be staying in Japan from 7th December until 28th December 2005.[Brunei Online]