Thursday, June 24, 2010 - A $750,000 agreement signed yesterday between Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP) will see the former stepping up its work in Occupational Health and Medicine, including new postgraduate courses on the subject and the establishment of a health centre for clinical research.
Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah (PAPRSB) Institute of Health Sciences, the oil and gas company agreed to sponsor $150,000 annually for five years the UBD professorial chair in Occupational Health and Medicine.
"BSP's partnership with us marks a new collaborative dimension for UBD, where for the first time, a full professorial position has been undertaken by the corporate sector," said the institute's dean, who was a signatory to the MoU.
Dr Anita Binurul Zahrina POKLWDSS Hj Abd Aziz said that employment was no longer just about getting an income, but has "evolved" to consider much more than that, "adopting and transforming work to the needs and circumstances of man".
Now a worker's physical, mental and social well-being had to be considered as well as other factors at the workplace, where "a significant amount of our time awake" is spent.
Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah (PAPRSB) Institute of Health Sciences, the oil and gas company agreed to sponsor $150,000 annually for five years the UBD professorial chair in Occupational Health and Medicine.
"BSP's partnership with us marks a new collaborative dimension for UBD, where for the first time, a full professorial position has been undertaken by the corporate sector," said the institute's dean, who was a signatory to the MoU.
Dr Anita Binurul Zahrina POKLWDSS Hj Abd Aziz said that employment was no longer just about getting an income, but has "evolved" to consider much more than that, "adopting and transforming work to the needs and circumstances of man".
Now a worker's physical, mental and social well-being had to be considered as well as other factors at the workplace, where "a significant amount of our time awake" is spent.
In this regard, she noted that UBD recognised the importance of Occupational Health and Medicine, but acknowledged a lack of expertise in the field, citing constraints in human capability and available resources.
"Expertise in the field of Occupational Heal and Medicine in UBD is inadequate, and the appointment of experts in this field is clearly fundamental for the implementation of this important initiative," Dr Anita said.
"The role of an expert or professor in this field is crucial, not only for teaching, but also for conducting clinical research and development work.
The dean of the PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences disclosed that the university will expand its curriculum to include Occupational Health and Medicine at the postgraduate level, apart from already offering diploma and undergraduate studies on the field.
"Indeed, the Master in Public Health Programme will be offered for the first time in August this year," she said. "Furthermore, we will also initiate more research programmes in Occupational Health and Medicine and in parallel, seek to cultivate young researchers through our Masters by research and PhD programmes."
"In addition, clinical work pertaining to Occupational Medicine will soon be set up with the establishment of our proposed University Health Centre, Insyallah," she added.
The MoU was signed yesterday by UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hj Zulkarnain Hj Hanafi and BSP Deputy Managing Director Hj Zainal Abidin Hj Mohd Ali.
On hand to witness the signing was Education Minister Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Abu Bakar Hj Apong.
The deputy managing director highlighted that occupational health has always been an integral aspect of BSP's business.
"BSP, together with UBD, aims to promote and conduct research in Occupational Health and Medicine in UBD as well as in BSP. At the same time, (we aim) to provide a source of expert advice and community service for Occupational Health and Medicine for all agencies in Brunei," Hj Zainal Abidin said.
"Touching more on Occupational Health, this special branch of medicine will put greater importance of the health of our workers in their workplace. BSP sees the agreement as a good turning point that will pave the way forward," he added.
"Expertise in the field of Occupational Heal and Medicine in UBD is inadequate, and the appointment of experts in this field is clearly fundamental for the implementation of this important initiative," Dr Anita said.
"The role of an expert or professor in this field is crucial, not only for teaching, but also for conducting clinical research and development work.
The dean of the PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences disclosed that the university will expand its curriculum to include Occupational Health and Medicine at the postgraduate level, apart from already offering diploma and undergraduate studies on the field.
"Indeed, the Master in Public Health Programme will be offered for the first time in August this year," she said. "Furthermore, we will also initiate more research programmes in Occupational Health and Medicine and in parallel, seek to cultivate young researchers through our Masters by research and PhD programmes."
"In addition, clinical work pertaining to Occupational Medicine will soon be set up with the establishment of our proposed University Health Centre, Insyallah," she added.
The MoU was signed yesterday by UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hj Zulkarnain Hj Hanafi and BSP Deputy Managing Director Hj Zainal Abidin Hj Mohd Ali.
On hand to witness the signing was Education Minister Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Abu Bakar Hj Apong.
The deputy managing director highlighted that occupational health has always been an integral aspect of BSP's business.
"BSP, together with UBD, aims to promote and conduct research in Occupational Health and Medicine in UBD as well as in BSP. At the same time, (we aim) to provide a source of expert advice and community service for Occupational Health and Medicine for all agencies in Brunei," Hj Zainal Abidin said.
"Touching more on Occupational Health, this special branch of medicine will put greater importance of the health of our workers in their workplace. BSP sees the agreement as a good turning point that will pave the way forward," he added.
Cortesy of Ubaidillah Masli,
The Brunei Times
URL: http://www.bruneitimes.com.bn/news-national/2010/06/24/ubd-bsp-ink-5-year-deal-occupational-health-course
