Soas College upgrades tuition for future leaders

THE Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien (Soas) College is gearing up for a major splash on the country's educational scene, with ongoing upgrading aimed to reaffirm the school's commitment to producing Brunei's future leaders.

Upgrading of both its instruction and infrastructure are under way and are scheduled for completion by 2012 in time for the Soas College's 60th anniversary.

Principal Pg Hj Zahari Pg Hj Ahmad told The Brunei Times that the college was committed to continue producing future leaders for generations, as the college has proven to have done so since its establishment 58 years ago.

"Soas College has been known to produce leaders who have contributed to the country... Former students of the college who are important figures today include Minister of Communications Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Hj Abu Bakar, Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin and Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Dato Seri Paduka Hj Eusoff Agaki," said Pg Hj Zahari.

"Most importantly, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was also a former student of this college back in the 60s," the principal said.

"All this has shown our school's good image as a college that has produced leaders we know today, and so we want to raise the standards of Soas College in order to maintain that reputation," he added.

"For the first time this year, we have begun introducing two classes specifically for the advanced intakes; those who have results of 4A's and 1B in their PSR (primary school assessment examination) and this is just the beginning."

He added that by the time the upgrading of the college is completed, parents have more choices of government colleges that cater for advanced students to send their children to. Currently, the only college that caters students with 5 Grade A's in their PSR exams is Maktab Sains (Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College). By 2012, students with outstanding results in their PSR exams can enrol in Soas College.

"We hope to give the college that competitive edge in training (high) quality students in Brunei. The college will bring in good teachers and have better facilities, and we will offer the courses that are specially tailored for students to become potential leaders, which include academic, co-curricular activities and character building elements," the principal said, adding that it has been proven that students can potentially become leaders with these three core elements combined in their learning.

There are two phases in the upgrading of the college. The first phase is the new five-storey building which is currently in development. The building will house additional classrooms, an administration room, IT rooms and science laboratories.

The proposed building is situated at a former car park where school buses used to wait for students and parents used to drop off and fetch their children.

Works to upgrade the college began last December after a contract signing ceremony between the Public Works Department and construction company BK Global International Sdn Bhd.

The $9 million construction project is expected to last 15 months, with completion expected in February 2011.

The second phase will involve the upgrading of the collegeitself, which includes its infrastructure, as well as allocation of a lecture theatre, student centre and a design and technology building.

The upgrading project is expected to reach full completion in 2012 to make it in time for the college's 60th anniversary.

Soas College wasformed in October 2, 1951 and was known as the first government English school in Brunei, before its name was changed to Maktab Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien in 1956 in honour of His Majesty's late father.

Today, the college has more than 1,400 secondary students with about 136 teachers.

In 2007, His Majesty officiated the opening of Soas College Class of 64 Library and exhibition. The Class of 64 Library is a special gift from the college alumni of Form 4 Arts 1964 on the occasion of His Majesty's 60th birthday celebration. The alumni were classmates of His Majesty during his time as a student at the college.

The Brunei Times