OUT OF OFFICE

Hello everyone,

just to let you know that I will not be in SMSA tomorrow thus students who need help or advise can seek guidance from the other career officers. I will be back on Saturday :)..

On behalf of the Pre U Careers dept, I'd like to wish all of you:

HAPPY 28TH NATIONAL DAY!

Proud to be a bruneian! Have a great holiday and don't forget to watch tv on Thursday and look out for SMSAnians...

Article 2: WE MADE THE NEWS!

About 30 students from the Pre U 2 classes of Sekolah Menegah Sayyidina Ali attended a briefing facilitated by two representatives from the University of Warwick. Mavis Ow, a senior liaison Manager and Dr Neil Storrey, the director of International recruitment came to inform interested students about the advantages of studying in their academic institution. Dr Neil explained that students who were contemplating of going to top universities should consider Warwick as one of their top choices as the university offers courses most desirable for the students here. In fact, he said that Warwick University is the second most targeted by graduate employers for graduate recruitment programmes in the UK. Therefore, getting a degree in Warwick is considered as a substantial credential as Warwick is ranked top ten in the UK, he claimed.

In his briefing, he also mentioned that the university also provides courses which are ranked within the top ten in the national league tables. The subjects include Accounting and finance, Chemistry, computer Science, engineering, Law, Physincs, English, Mathematics, Politics, Business studies, communication and media studies, Sociology, Drama and many others. Established in 1965, the University of Warwick has more than 22,000 students, a third of whom are overseas students.

The talk ended with a question and answer sessions whereby students inquired mainly of the entry requirements to get to the University. When asked if they offer scholarships for international students, Mavis Ow explained that though they are not offering scholarships for undergraduate students, the university does offer scholarships for postgraduate students, especially those who are interested in doing their pHd.

The talk was part of the Pre U Careers and Higher Learning department's annual activity, headed by Dyg Ummi Kalsum Hj Omar, in its effort to inform students of their choices of courses and careers they can pursue after their two-year A level course as well as to encourage and motivate them to do well in their A levels exam. 

Dr Neil Storrey, a representative from the University of Warwick

 You can also read it here: http://www.borneobulletin.com.bn/tue/feb21h25.htm

Thank you to Ms. Erna! (Careers' Correspondent)

Article: CANADIAN EDUCATION FAIR

This post is long overdue and I apologise...I organised a trip to attend the Canadian Education Fair 2 weeks ago and a big thanks goes out to Ms. Erna and Mr. Matt who were willing to go and supervise the students under very short notice. The report of the trip is as follows:

'On the 7th February 2012, about forty students accompanied by two teachers, Ms Erna Hj Sumardi and Mr Matthew Johnson went to the VIP Hall, Rizqun Hotel for the Canadian Educational Fair. The group embarked from Sekolah Menengah Sayyidina Ali at about half past twelve and arrived at its destination at around 2pm. A number of universities, polytechnics and colleges were on display which included Laurentian University, Carleton University, Alberta University, Sait Polyyechnic, Alexander College and The Great Lakes College of Toronto. Upon arriving, students were greeted amicably and were given brochures, to answer questions they might have in mind.  Students then went to the booths allocated and began enquiring about the courses they were interested in and especially the requirements needed for admission.

There was also a briefing by one of the Canadian representative, explaining to students the general life in Canada and what studying in Canada could offer to the students. There were also quizzes whereby students could win exciting prizes, souvenirs in fact, that would remind them of Canada. After an hour of browsing through the displays and inquiring, students, after munching on the cuisines the Mall has to offer, then gathered at the lobby of the Rizqun hotel for the final ride home. We also had a moment of panic, with Mr Matthew Johnson counting the number of students again and again, when we lost one of the students, who finally came forward, and informed us that his father was, in fact, picking him up at the hotel. After the excitement had gone down, we then began our journey home.' 

Enjoy the pictures of the event: 

Once again, a heartful thanks goes to both Ms. Erna and Mr. Matt for accompanying the students to the fair.

EVENTS - WEEK 3 FEB 2012

Hello everyone,

Here is a list of events that may be useful for you if you wish to attend:

1. Warwick University Talk

Monday, 20th February 2012

Time: 2.30 pm - 4.30 pm

Venue: Staff Lounge, SMSA

2. British Council UK Education Fair (A MUST!)

Tuesday, 21st February 2012

Time: 1pm - 7pm

Venue: Sutra Hall, Rizqun Hotel

3. UK Education Fair (Same as above)

Wednesday, 22nd February 2012

Time: 10am - 2pm

Venue: Multipurpose Hall, Pusat Tingkatan Enam Katok

4. King's College London Talk

Thursday, 23rd February 2012

Time 3.00pm - 5.00pm

Venue: Rizqun Hotel

Unfortunately, buses are not available due to the National Day rehearsals thus, students may go to each event via own transport.

Flyers and more information are available at the Careers department..
*Have a great week ahead!

HECAS IS OFFICIALLY OPEN!

Good morning people, 

HECAS is now open for applications. For those of you who have no clue about what hecas is then let me enlighten you. 

In the past, applications to local Higher Education Institutions or Scholarship Section were processed manually. The Ministry of Education reached a Private-Public-Partnership agreement with DST in December 2008 to collaboratively develop and implement an electronic system to process application for undergraduate programmes at Higher Education Institutions in Brunei Darussalam as well as for government scholarships to study abroad. In view of the changing Higher Education landscape in Brunei Darussalam with the increase in number of universities and student population, the implementation of the on-line application procedure (HECAS) is appropriate and timely.

HECAS alllows students to apply on-line to the local higher education institutions or the Scholarship Section through any computers with internet access.

In short, YOU MUST APPLY TO HECAS IF YOU WISH TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE FOLLOWING:
1. Scholarship
2. UBD
3. ITB
4. UNISSA
5. Brunei Polytechnic

 For further information, please go to www.hecas.edu.bn. Make sure you read all the terms and conditions before applying as well as the entry requirements for each institution. It won't make sense if you wish to apply for a scholarship and only have 200 points because hecas is computerized and you will be rejected. Make the wise decisions in selecting courses because you will be the one studying for the next 3-4 years.

Also, if you wish to apply to hecas but find it difficult to do so e.g no internet access at home then you may set up an appointment with me and I will allow you to do so at the Careers office.If you can't figure out how to enter your details onto hecas, a sample of the application is available at the office too.Please register with dst first before applying for hecas in SMSA.

Please bear in mind:

Commence Date: 20 FEBRUARY 2012 after 7:45 a.m.
Close Date: 15 March 2012 after 4:30 p.m.

Don't forget to prepare your relevant documents (follow each institution's required set) and to fill in borang B (follow each institution's requirements) :


I. Scholarship Section Checklist

Scholarship Section, Ministry of Education, requires only ONE SET of relevant documents and FOUR copies of Borang B even if applicants apply to 2 programmes. Each set consists of a single copy for each completed HECAS application forms, certificates and relevant supporting documents.
If you are applying for a scholarship especially to the UK, then please complete your UCAS applications as I'm just waiting to process them. Don't forget the deadline for SMSA UCAS applications: 15th March 2012 at 5pm

II. Universiti Brunei Darussalam Checklist

UBD requires THREE SETS of relevant documents and FOUR copies of Borang B. Each set consists of a single copy for each completed HECAS application forms, certificates and relevant supporting documents.

III. Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali Checklist

UNISSA requires THREE SETS of relevant documents and FOUR copies of Borang B. Each set consists of a single copy for each completed HECAS application forms, certificates and relevant supporting documents.

IV. Institut Teknologi Brunei Checklist

ITB requires THREE SETS of relevent documents and FOUR copies of Borang B.Each set consists of a single copy of each completed HECAS application form, certified academic achievements and relevent suppporting documents.

V. Brunei Polytechnic Checklist

BP requires THREE SETS of relevant documents and FOUR copies of Borang B. Each set consists of a single copy of each completed HECAS application form, certified academic achievements and relevant supporting documents.

**I would recommend for each student to make a  checklist of your own so you won't miss any relevant documents and deadlines.

I shall be updating all the HECAS information at the Careers office so you can take a look as well.  

**To ALL SMSA students who are applying for hecas, can you also please submit a COPY of your submitted hecas application to the Careers office for recordkeeping.

SNEAK PEEK- SCHOLARSHIP OPEN DAY

People,
Don't forget to go to the scholarship opend day today and tomorrow. Here are some pictures to tempt you all to attend because I don't want any of you to miss out:

See you all there!

MOE SCHOLARSHIP OPEN DAY 2012

Good morning all,

This is to remind ALL students that there will be an MOE SCHOLARSHIP OPEN DAY 2012. Below are further details about the event:

Venue: International Conference Center (ICC)

Dates: Saturday - Sunday (18th - 19th Feb 2012)

Times: 8.30 am - 4.30 pm

It is recommended that you bring your qualifications e.g copies of your O and A level results as well as offers from universities (if you have any). This is your opportunity to meet representatives from the scholarship and ASK QUESTIONS that you are dying to ask e.g procedures of the scholarship, their benefits, long term careers, etc.

You should also visit the MOE Scholarship section ask about their preferences such as university ranking and courses offered. Don't forget to visit the Accreditation Council to confirm whether the universities you're applying for are accredited by the government.

This will be the scholarships' first impressions of you so make it count. Be presentable and professional.

See you there!

P/s: this made my day and it's only 10.00am - "Thank you miss ummi you rock xD"

Have a great weekend people!