Knowledge tool to cope with challenges of 21st century

THE way to make Brunei students "our future" is to equip them with the one tool that would guarantee their survival when used effectively, said Minister of Education during the third Canadian Education Fair dinner last night.

Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Hj Abu Bakar Hj Apong said that this survival tool was knowledge, adding that these students would thus "be the pillars or movers of our knowledge-based economy" in the future.

"Knowledge-based economy is not new, but the transition towards it, will be a first for Brunei," he said. "This is where we, the education providers, play our vital roles in preparing the next generation of workers with next generation knowledge, with 21st century skills."

The minister added that "today's economy is ... leaning towards the new knowledge" that is, the need for workers who have the 'know-how' and are the 'know-who'."

"Our (Ministry of Education) quest is (to quantify such quality)," he said. "For us to achieve (this) mission, we have to collaborate with the best."

He said that the opening of the Canadian Education Fair was therefore, in time for students who await for their exam results to assess their future pathways, to find "a connection between the knowledge that they already possess, to the knowledge that they aspire for, the knowledge that will allow them to enter and operate in the real world, in the global economy."

He said that Canada is home to some of the world's top academic institutions and research facilities, with areas such as computer technology, business and management, that will be of relevance to Brunei.

"The fields of telecommunications, environmental sciences and energy (also) hold credence to the future aspirations of Brunei in developing a resilient human capital, not just a human capital of able workers, but a human capital of knowledgeable workers," said the minister.

Canada High Commissioner to Brunei in echoing the sentiment said that "the challenges brought about by globalisation have created a void that requires the emergence of a skilled and capable workforce able to tackle the urgent needs created by the current economic developments."

"It is through education and the further cementing of people-to-people ties that citizens and governments will be best equipped to respond to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century," said Guy Boileau.

He also said that Canada is thus interested in exploring research linkages between the universities in Brunei and Canada.

The dinner was attended by representatives from nine Canadian universities and Canada High Commission of Canada as well as officers from the Ministry of Education.

The Brunei Times