The Far Eastern University (FEU) has entered a joint venture to establish the first private nursing school in Brunei, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday.

“The Philippines entered into its first private nursing school venture in Brunei Darussalam with the signing of an agreement between FEU, Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC), and Darussalam Assets,” it said.

The signing held on Thursday will establish the JPMC-College of Health Sciences (JPMC-CHS), which would be the first health care learning institution of its kind in Brunei Darussalam.

The joint venture agreement was signed by FEU’s President Michael Alba and Chief Finance Officer Juan Miguel Montinola, Minister of Health Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Haji Md Isham Bin Haji Jaafar, and Minister of Finance and Economy II Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mohd. Amin Liew Bin Abdullah.

The Minister of Health is the chairperson of the Board of Directors of JPMC while Darussalam Assets is a private limited company under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance and Economy.

Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Marian Jocelyn Tirol-Ignacio witnessed the signing ceremony.

According to the DFA, the JPMC-CHS will offer basic nursing programs beginning October 2022 as part of its foundation program, with the intent of expanding into other fields of the health sciences.

The campus will be located along Jalan Ong Sum Ping in Bandar Seri Begawan and is expected to be fully operational by January 2023.

FEU will support the manpower requirements of the JPMC–CHS and will deploy instructors and lecturers each semester to Brunei based on the schedule of courses. (PNA)