The first private health science college in Brunei Darussalam will be established by Jerudong Park Medical Centre (“JPMC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Darussalam Assets Sdn Bhd (“DA”), with Far Eastern University (“FEU”) of the Republic of the Philippines.
The signing ceremony for the Joint Venture Agreement between JPMC and FEU was held yesterday at Indera Kayangan Ballroom, The Empire Hotel and Country Club, Jerudong. Attending as the Guest of Honour for the event was Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Signing on behalf of JPMC was Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar, Minister of Health, in his capacity as Chairman of JPMC’s Board of Directors, on behalf of the JPMC College of Health Sciences Sdn Bhd, the new joint venture company, was Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II while FEU was represented by Dr Michael M. Alba, President, and Board of Director of FEU.
The event was witnessed by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to Brunei Darussalam, Her Excellency Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio and Former Secretary of Finance of the Republic of the Philippines, Carlos Garcia Dominguez III.
The agreement signifies the beginning of the joint venture between the two organisations to establish, manage and operate JPMC College of Health Sciences. The college aims to produce qualified locals to fulfill the national demand for healthcare professionals and strengthen the existing healthcare ecosystem.
The Minister of Health said that with the establishment of the college, the country can produce healthcare professionals of the utmost caliber and support the increasing demand both locally and globally. He added that with the impact of COVID-19, there is a growing need for more expertise in numerous areas of healthcare.
FEU is one of Philippines’ top universities and has earned the reputation of producing globally competitive graduates, including nursing professionals. Their nursing program curriculum will be adapted in the new college to help equip students with the skills and expertise in excellent healthcare services.
The President of FEU, Dr Alba, said that he hoped to bring that reputation to the new college and produce leaders who promote, practice and pursue excellence in health science education, healthcare services, and compassionate care.
JPMC College of Health Sciences will be located at Jalan Ong Sum Ping in Bandar Seri Begawan, offering Foundation in Science Certification and Bachelor of Science in Nursing. It is accredited by the Brunei Darussalam National Accreditation Council and endorsed by the Brunei Nursing Board. The commencement for Foundation in Science Certification will be in October 2022. For more information, you can visit @jpmccollegebrunei on Instagram.
