​SUNGAI AKAR CAMP, Friday 16 January 2015 – The Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Paduka Seri Mohd Tawih bin Abdullah officiated the opening of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Command and Staff Course 5 (RBAF CSC 5).

The course comprises 31 officers, 13 officers from Royal Brunei Armed Forces, 16 military officers from Australia, Bangladesh, The People’s Republic of China, India, two from Republic of Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, two from Oman, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom and the United States.

The Royal Brunei Police Force and the Internal Security Department are also represented in the course.

The RBAF Commander in his speech said that from the military perspective, the 21st century has been dominated by complex operating environments and non-conventional security challenges and issues. The RBAF Command and Staff Course is hoped to establish a mutual understanding focusing on leadership, international security, strategic studies and multi-national operations. 

The RBAF Commander reminded in his speech, that with the volatile nature that the world is in and the fast pace at which people are evolving, it is important to keep up with current affairs. He also urged the participants to inculcate the culture of reading and critical analysis, adding that it is always important to step back and independently analyse a situation before being swayed by others.

Present at the opening ceremony were Commissioner of Royal Brunei Police Force, Acting Deputy Commander of RBAF, Service Commanders and Commandants, Directors, Officers and Staff of RBAF Defence Academy.

The Royal Brunei Armed Forces Command and Staff College was officially opened by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam in Nov 2010.

The 39 weeks RBAF Command and Staff Course aimed to expand the professional and academic knowledge of mid-levels officers, as well as develop their command, analytical and communication skills to help prepare them for senior and command appointments. The course at the RBAF Defence Academy is delivered in partnerships with New Zealand's Massey University, who will deliver the academic component of the course. Since its inception in 2010, the college has successfully conducted four courses.