Over 207 Students Ink COE with Hengyi Industries

Analisa Amu, The Bruneian – The original story here

18 June 2022

Some 207 students from Politeknik Brunei (PB) and Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) signed their Conditional Offer of Employment (COE) with Hengyi Industries recently under various programmes in collaboration between the company and the educational institutions.

In his welcoming remarks, Acting Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister of Finance and Economy Haji Khairuddin Haji Abdul Hamid said that over the years, the Manpower Planning and Employment Council (MPEC), Department of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Education, Politeknik Brunei, IBTE, Damai Holdings and Hengyi Industries have all been working closely to develop a number of programmes to meet the manpower and skill needs of Hengyi Industries.

“The aim is getting these programmes to be developed and rolled-out in Politeknik Brunei and IBTE. Alhamdulillah, through this close collaboration, eight Diploma programmes at Level 5 have been successfully developed and launched,” he said.

Hengyi Industries have issued COEs to the first batch of PB students in March last year, whom were enrolled in two diploma programmes – three from Diploma in Laboratory Technology and 35 students from Diploma in Chemical Engineering programmes.

“Alhamdulillah, today we will witness another signing of COEs from eight Diploma Programmes, which are: Laboratory Technology, Chemical Engineering, Chemical Equipment Technology, Power Plant and Power System, Storage and Transportation Technology, Thermal Power Plant Technology, Water Treatment Technology, and Control and Automation Engineering,” he added.

Picture from The Bruneian

Through the signing, the students will be offered employment at Hengyi Industries upon completion of the programmes.

“For this, I would like to extend sincere appreciation to Hengyi Industries for the early commitment for these students and in the overall effort to increase the Bruneian workforce in the industry,” said the acting minister.

He also lauded PB and IBTE for conducting the programmes to produce highly competent Bruneians to meet energy industry needs which initiatives are aligned with the Department of Energy’s strategic objectives under the Bruneianisation Directive to maximise employment opportunities for locals and in supporting Wawasan 2035’s goal of producing well educated, highly skilled, and accomplished population.

“I would also like to emphasise the importance of these programmes and the need for continuous collaboration among key stakeholders to ensure sufficient supply of competent local talents in supporting our growing industry needs, especially the downstream sector which is fast expanding,” said Haji Khairuddin.

On her part, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Hengyi Industries Zou Hui said that last year, the company kick started their collaboration with PB and IBTE in programmes tailored for Hengyi’s Petrochemical and Refinery Operators.

The continuous partnership with the institutions via the eight programmes demonstrated Hengyi’s commitment to developing local talents and building competent local workforce.

“To the students – today is about you – we are here to celebrate and congratulate your successes, your goals, and your determination. Through the pandemic, every single one of you have experienced changes, to your routines, and expectations. But you being here today, resilience is what you have shown, and I hope that you carry this energy with you, and maintain it throughout your journey. I for one can’t wait for you to join us,” said Zou Hui.

She added: “The future is exciting. Hengyi’s second phase will expand our petrochemical refinery complex…. expansion means more opportunities. In line with the directives from the Brunei Government, Hengyi will continue to strive, to create spin-off opportunities, for the local SMEs, and to generate employment opportunities.”

The three-year Diploma (equivalent to HND) programmes which have already started, comprised two years of academic education and one-year industrial placement slated to begin in July 2023.

The signing was made among 176 students from PB and 31 students from IBTE.

In attendance to witness the ceremony was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China Yu Hong.

Picture from The Bruneian

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