Brunei - ICT can help keep Brunei competitive

ICT implementation is the driving force to push Brunei to become a more competitive society to keep up with its more developed neighbours, an expert said recently.

Professor of Faculty of Computer Science at the United Nations Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (UN-APCICT), Dr Chan Basaruddin, said ICT can be used as a teaching content at all educational levels to improve the nation's competitiveness.

At the SEAMEO VOCTECH Regional Forum for New Media and ICT Trends in Education, he delivered a talk entitled "Integration of ICT and the Media for Youth" where he explained how ICT can be used as a teaching content to help students recognise the significance of ICT in developing the nation's competitiveness.

Speaking with the press on the sidelines of his talk, he said: "Many research have conclusively concluded the more a nation develops its ICT capacity, the more competitive the nation becomes."

Many countries all over the world have begun to implement the use of ICT in work and education, he said. He added that education is one of the major areas influenced by ICT as an enabling technology.

"Everybody is looking at ICT not only as an enabling technology but we are thinking education is one of the areas that is most affected to that paradigm of learning so on and so forth."

Basaruddin further lauded Brunei's "progressive step" to employ ICT into its education system and said the future is looking bright for the Sultanate in moving into a fast-paced, competitive society to keep up with its more developed neighbours.

"The contribution of ICT for the nation's competitiveness is unquestionable. ICT is affecting every aspect of our lives. It can improve efficiency of government, productivity and also, the effectiveness of education."

During his talk, Basaruddin also shared the success stories of implementing the "blended learning method" in employing ICT into university education, which started in 2006 for the masters programme in the University of Indonesia where he was teaching.

Launched on Wednesday, the Regional Forum for New Media and ICT Trends in Education is a three-week training programme for educational officers from SEAMEO member countries, comprising ASEAN states and Timor Leste.

LOW LENG MAY

The Brunei Times

Business & Investment Opportunities

YourVietnamExpert is a division of Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd, Incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Consulting, Investment and Management, focusing three main economic sectors: International PR; Healthcare & Wellness;and Tourism & Hospitality. We also propose Higher Education, as a bridge between educational structures and industries, by supporting international programs. Sign up with twitter to get news updates with @SaigonBusinessC. Thanks.