New academic option for LCB students

STUDENTS at Laksamana College of Business (LCB) will now have a new academic option to pursue, a Computing course that will give them an internationally recognised qualification.

The new course, Business and Technician Education Council (BTEC) is a work related qualification that offers a practical, real-world approach with the relevant theoretical background also in scope.

The launching ceremony was held at LCB yesterday which saw the presentation of a plaque by Au Yong Soon Kok, Regional Director of Edexcel International (Southeast Asia Region) to Managing Director of Abdul Razak Holdings, Pehin Orang Kaya Ratna Setia Dato Paduka Hj Abdul Hapidz Pehin Orang Kaya Laksamana Hj Abdul Razak.

Edexcel, an examining body that offers a variety of internationally recognised qualifications, has certified and approved LCB to provide the BTEC course. The BTEC qualification is also recognised locally by the Brunei Darussalam National Accreditation Council.

S Sivarajah, Chief Operating Officer of LCB told The Brunei Times that upon LCB's its opening more than half a decade ago, the education institution has been primarily offered Business courses.

He said, "We saw a need to diversify and moreover, Business and Computing go hand in hand."

Sivarajah added that with the government initiatives and projects such as E-government, it makes the course much more relevant as it will help to produce locally trained IT experts.

The new course lets students choose between a Higher National Certificate (HNC), a one year course and has the option of taking General Computing or ICT Systems Support, and a Higher National Diploma (HND) in General Computing or ICT Systems Support, an 18-months course.

The entry requirements for BTEC HNC programme entails a minimum of one GCE "A" Levels and three GCE "O" Levels at grades A, B and C in relevant subjects. As for the HND programme, one GCE "A" Levels and four GCE "O" Levels at grades A, B and C make up the minimum requirements. Securing the HND qualification will enable students to enter into second or third year degree programmes at various universities in the UK, Australia and the US.

Considering the prestigious credentials of being qualified at a British university, Cecile Dasal, a British Council representative said she understood that the opportunity on offer at LCB would mean a lot to the Bruneian families as it is much more affordable to obtain the qualification than paying for a three-year study in overseas.

The first intake will commence in September this year.

The Brunei Times