Bruneian students on an academic high

MORE students received top awards for achieving excellent results in various subjects in last year's Brunei Cambridge GCE 'O', 'AS' and 'A' level November examinations than in 2008.

A total of 74 students scooped 81 awards, compared to 69 students in 2008. Three made it to the "Top in the World" lists for various subjects.

Out of the 74 recipients from 18 government and non-government schools, 41 were from the 'O' Level category, 16 from the 'AS' Level and 17 from 'A' Level.

In the 'O' Level category, Teo Siaw Wee of Chung Hua Middle School in Belait received the "Top in the World" award for gaining the highest mark in the world for Commercial Studies, while Muhammad Hidayatullah Sunazul Fikar Suip received the "High Achievement" award in Hafaz Al-Quran.

A total of 21 students out of the 41 recipients at the 'O' Level category received "Top 10 in the World" awards in Mathematics Syllabus D, Biology, Principles of Accounts, Physics and Commercial Studies.

A place in the "Top 10 in the World" meant that the students were ranked within the world's top 10 for a particular subject out of over 100 countries registered for the Cambridge International Examinations.

In the 'AS' Level examination, Siti Najihah Mohd Yussof and Kamal Hilmie Hj Tasim of Duli Pg Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College were ranked "Top in the World" in Mathematics, and another two were ranked "Top 10 in the World" for Biology and General Paper.

For the 'A' Level examination, seven achieved "Top 10 in the World" for excelling in four subjects, which were Biology, Sociology, Psychology and History.

During the Cambridge Outstanding Achiever Awards Ceremony yesterday, chairperson of the ceremony's organising committee and Director of Examinations Hj Muhd Masa Masdi Muhd Sa'idun said the awards reflect a marked improvement in Brunei's academic achievements.

"It shows that we are on the right track in our endeavours to meet and exceed the high levels of academic excellence we have set ourselves.

"Our students are indeed Brunei's greatest asset, and we shall continue to nurture these students by strengthening quality education for all, in order to prepare our nation for a brighter future," he added.

University of Cambridge International Examinations Head of Ministry Partnership Dr Newman Burdett said the increase in the number of students excelling in the exams indicated the country was improving in innovation.

"The results this year also showed that students out there (are developing more skills), which is good for the country's economy."

Minister of Education Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdul Rahman Dato Setia Hj Mohamed Taib presented the awards.

The Brunei Times