2nd University proposal...

The issue regarding the 2nd Islamic University is hotly debated though not so openly. There are many who disagree with the setup of the 2nd Islamic University basically became many believe that its not practical in this technologically advanced age. Whether its "glamorous" or not, that is not an issue, but it is a fact that the government cannot afford to build another university if it does not plan to maintain it in the long run.

The only local university, according to those who studied there before, complained about the lack of facilities and maintenance of the place. Only when there's a VVIP studying or visiting the place, only then the University would look "nice". Other than that, most of the time, it looks quite dull.

Students complained of the computers which are inadequate and "old", when their counterparts are in UK or Australian universities are running on wireless broadband connection, UBD's connection is still possibly around 56kbs!! The books in the library are inadequate and are old edition, as well as the journals and magazines (this does eat a large chunk of the library budget). UBD can't attract well-known lecturers or professors because its pay is not competitive. Students still have to run around the university to find tutorial rooms and some can't even find suitable rooms (to some, even tables and chairs!) for their lecture or tutorial. Aircons do breakdown while the maintenace of toilets, electricity and gardening seemed to be of secondary importance.

Politically, this might be good for the state's image as an Islamic state hence the state must have an Islamic Unversity, but at what cost? Friends from Malaysia commented that no one actually wants to go to Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIA), unless they have no choice. For those thinking of working in the private sector, then chances are quite low if one is wants to be employed if graduating from that university.

Many have been expecting that ITB to be upgraded or merged with the country's only university. BEDB had high hopes (in the old days) to change the curriculum so that it could employ people suitable for the businesses they were trying to attract. The new Minister, I'm sure is working so hard to put the Education System back in its proper forward looking setting, to make sure that Bruneians get quality and marketable education, not only for employment opportunities in this country but overseas as well....

Before a 2nd university is set up, it is better that a "consultancy" be set up to understand the pros and cons of setting up another huge investment, which in the end could be another "white elephant" if not properly thought of...