Nursing College to merge with UBD
By P Marilyn

Her Royal Highness Princess Hjh Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah said plans are under way to merge Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah College of Nursing with Universiti Brunei Darussalam's (UBD) Institute of Medicine.

Her Royal Highness believes that this initiative is a positive step by Brunei's Ministry of Education to establish a high quality tertiary education.

In delivering her sabda at the 14th Convocation of the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah College of Nursing at UBD's Chancellor's Hall yesterday morning, Her Royal Highness said, "With such efforts, the Nursing College will have more opportunities to progress into a more eminent, stable and competitive institution in the field of nursing education and midwifery.

"This advancement also paves the way for Nursing College to strengthen its key role in fulfilling the needs of nurses, midwives and health workforce who are more qualified, committed and professional in our country."

Her Royal Highness underscored the importance of the advancement of teaching staff, saying they should incorporate the best relevant teaching and learning techniques and meet the needs of international standards.

Nurses, Her Royal Highness said, also play an important role in overcoming health issues such as cardiovascular, high blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic diseases spawned by unhealthy lifestyle.

"The role to promote and increase the practise of healthy living amongst the community, citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam has to be integrated into nurses' training, tasks and responsibilities," said Her Royal Highness.

Hence, the Nursing College also plays a role in formulating a strategic plan in promoting health, Her Royal Highness added.

Her Royal Highness said that other issues involving job opportunities for Nursing College graduates should also be taken into account and relevant authorities should pay more attention pertaining to this matter to ensure that fellow graduates have the opportunity to work in health institutions in Brunei and overseas, if necessary.

Her Royal Highness congratulated the graduates on their success and hoped that all graduates will practise the concept of life-long learning and continuous efforts for self-advancement.

Her Royal Highness also hoped that the graduates would continue to increase their knowledge and expertise in nursing practice.

Yesterday, 106 students were awarded Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery, presented by Her Royal Highness, who is the Patron of the Nursing College.

Fifty-nine nurses received their nursing diplomas and badges in various specialised fields while 37 received their diploma and badges in nursing and midwifery.

Her Royal Highness Princess Hjh Rashidah also awarded diplomas and badges to 10 nurses who completed the advanced specialised nursing course in midwifery and community health nursing and critical care.

Six students received special awards in recognition of their ability to maintain throughout the programme a very high standard of achievement in their academic, clinical practice and professional behaviour.

In its 22nd year of providing excellent standards of nursing and midwifery education for the people of Brunei, the College of Nursing strives to see the graduates practise not only with the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, but also in the private sector and overseas. - Borneo Bulletin (18th April 2008)


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