Latest news with #Challenges
The Star
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Brunei aligns with Asean vision for inclusive, future-ready education
Minister of Education Datin Seri Setia Dr Romaizah Md Salleh in a group photo. - Photo: MOE BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Minister of Education (MoE) Datin Seri Setia Dr Romaizah Md Salleh emphasised Brunei Darussalam's commitment to elevate higher education institutions to be globally recognised for their academic reputation, employer recognition, faculty quality and impactful research, producing workforce-ready graduates with evolving skills. She made these comments attending the Asean Ministers of Education Roundtable on Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Mitigating Out of School Children and Youth (OOSCY) Challenges, and the Asean Higher Education Ministers' Roundtable: 'Envisioning the Next Decade and Beyond'. In conjunction with the Asean-Malaysia Chairmanship 2025, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia held two ministerial meetings from June 17 to 20 in Langkawi, Malaysia. The Asean Ministers of Education Roundtable on Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Mitigating OOSCY Challenges was officiated by Malaysia's Minister of Education Fadhlina Sidek. The minister emphasised the need to tackle deficits in foundational learning, skill gaps, and youth unemployment, as these issues worsen the challenge of out-of-school children and youth. She underscored Malaysia's commitment to providing equitable access to quality education and opportunities for all young people, especially those currently out of school, to participate meaningfully in society. Dr Romaizah also presented an overview of Brunei Darussalam's Compulsory Education Act, highlighting how it has been strengthened by reducing the mandatory school entry age to five years. This crucial change aims to provide earlier access to schooling for children. To support this, a range of initiatives have been introduced, specifically to assist vulnerable groups. These include programmes like Bantuan Keperluan Persekolahan Tahunan, by providing school essentials and school feeding programmes, all designed as part of a broader effort to address educational challenge. During the Asean Higher Education Ministers' Roundtable, with the theme 'Envisioning the Next Decade and Beyond', Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir highlighted the necessity for higher education institutions to become more inclusive, agile and responsive to real-world demands in the face of rapid technological and industrial changes. Dr Zambry underlined that the goal is to enhance collaboration among governments, academia, and industry to prepare youth for future jobs and create pathways fostering an innovative and cohesive Asean that leaves no one behind. Permanent Secretary (Core Education) at the MoE Dr Shamsiah Zuraini Kanchanawati Tajuddin and officials from the Ministry of Education, Brunei Darussalam were also in attendance during the meetings. Prior to the ministerial roundtable meetings, Permanent Secretary (Core Education) at the MoE Dr Shamsiah attended the Asean Education Forum on June 8 to discuss among issues on pertinent information, research findings and sharing of best practices to enhance the accessibility of education for marginalised and disadvantaged children and youth. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
Mint
5 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Asim Munir USA visit: Rafale brand patron Dassault Aviation share price gains after falling 1% in a month
Dassault Aviation, the company behind the Rafale brand, saw its share price gaining less than a percent to €306.40 during Wednesday's trading session. The Rafale jet manufacturer stock has declined over 1.23 per cent, delivering flat returns. Dassault Aviation shares attracted significant investor attention after the Indian armed forces carried out Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025. With escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the stock initially soared by up to 66 percent before eventually giving up those gains. On June 15, dismissing Pakistan's assertion that three Rafale jets were downed during the May 7–10 conflict with India, Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier called Islamabad's claims 'inaccurate.' 'The Indians haven't communicated, so we don't know exactly what happened. What we already know is that what the Pakistanis are saying is inaccurate,' Trappier told French magazine Challenges. Highlighting that the success of a military mission cannot be measured only by the lack of casualties, the Dassault CEO said, "When you operate combat aircraft, you are carrying out a mission. The mission's success is not having zero losses, it's having achieved its objectives.' The French aerospace giant produces the Rafale jets, which are the most advanced fighter aircraft in the Indian Air Force's fleet. Pakistan had previously claimed that it had shot down six Indian fighter jets during the period between May 7 and 10, amid the conflict. The hostilities began after India carried out strikes on terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. The Rafale jet manufacturer shares have gained giving siginificant returns over 74 per cent in a year and 62 per cent in six months. Dassault Aviation's share price is getting the attention of market bulls because Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir is visiting the USA and meeting US President Donald Trump today, according to Avinash Gorakshkar, Head of Research at Profitmart Securities. ' The market is expecting some big defence-related announcements followed by Indian retaliation. For India, Rafale brand patron Dassault Aviation Ltd is considered a good counter option, and hence, Dassault Aviation's share price is rising today. However, this rise is entirely speculative and may not be sustained for long until and unless a concrete deal is signed between the Indian government and the defence company,' Gorakshkar said. Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, not Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
New Indian Express
15-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
'Simply not true': Dassault CEO rubbishes Pakistan's claim of downing Rafales
Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, has categorically dismissed Pakistan's claims of shooting down three Indian Rafale jets during Operation Sindoor. In an interview with Challenges, a French magazine, Trappier affirmed that Dassault has received no official communication from the Indian Air Force (IAF) indicating any Rafale losses, firmly branding the Pakistani narrative as false. 'The reports of Indian Rafales being lost are not accurate,' Trappier stated. 'The Indians haven't communicated, so we don't know exactly what happened. What we already know is that what the Pakistanis are saying is inaccurate,' Trappier told the magazine. He further added, 'What Pakistan is claiming about downing three Rafales is simply not true.' He stressed that the outcome of modern air operations must be judged by mission objectives, not disinformation. 'When you operate combat aircraft, the goal isn't simply to avoid losses, it's to accomplish the mission,' he said, underlining that success in modern warfare is measured by strategic outcomes, not casualty counts. Drawing a historical parallel, he remarked, 'No one said the Allies lost World War II because they suffered troop losses.' 'We'll see whether there were any losses and whether the mission objectives were met. When the full truth emerges, some may be in for a surprise,' he added.
Hans India
15-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Dassault CEO trashes Pakistan's claims on downing Rafale jets
Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier has dismissed as "factually incorrect" Pakistan's claims about having shot down three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force during Operation Sindoor. In an interview to French magazine Challenges, Trappier said: "What Pakistan is claiming about downing three Rafales is simply not true." He made it clear that Dassault, the French company that manufactures the Rafale, has received no official communication from the Indian Air Force indicating any such losses. "What we already know is that what the Pakistanis are saying about destroying three Rafale planes is inaccurate," Trappier said. "When the complete details are known, the reality may surprise many," he added. In the interview just ahead of the Paris Air Show, Trappier highlighted the formidable reputation of the Rafale as a premier multirole fighter jet. "If you want a single aircraft capable of air-to-air combat, reconnaissance, ground strikes, nuclear deterrence, and aircraft carrier deployment, Rafale is unmatched," he asserted. While acknowledging the stealth advantage of the American F-22, he maintained that the Rafale is superior to the F-35 in real-world versatility and performance. "It's far better than anything China currently offers," he contended. India has already denied that any of its fighter jets were destroyed during Operation Sindoor, which had successfully demolished terror infrastructure with precision bombing deep inside Pakistan territory. This was followed by missile attacks that caused considerable damage to key bases of the Pakistani Air Force. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif had earlier claimed that Pakistani forces downed five Indian aircraft, including three Rafales, and captured Indian soldiers during a retaliatory attack following India's airstrikes during Operation Sindoor. However, it has not released any evidence to support these claims. Defence analysts have dismissed the Pakistani narrative as sheer propaganda, which is in tune with the country's playbook, as has been the experience in the past. India had launched Operation Sindoor in retaliation for the Pakistan-sponsored terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in which 26 tourists were massacred.
Hindustan Times
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Did India lose Rafales? Dassault CEO gives curt response on Pakistan's claim
Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier has dismissed Pakistan's claim that India lost Rafale jets during last month's conflict, saying what Islamabad said is "inaccurate". Dassault Aviation manufactures Rafale jets, the Indian Air Force's most advanced fighter plane. Speaking to Challenges, a French magazine, Trappier refuted Pakistan's claim that three Rafale jets were shot down during the May 7–10 conflict between the Indian and Pakistani forces. Responding to a question about reports suggesting "India's loss of at least one Rafale" during the confrontation, Trappier said, 'The Indians haven't communicated, so we don't know exactly what happened. What we already know is that what the Pakistanis are saying is inaccurate.' He added perspective on air combat outcomes, emphasising that the success of a military mission cannot be judged solely by the absence of losses. 'When you operate combat aircraft, you are carrying out a mission. The mission's success is not having zero losses, it's having achieved its objectives.' The Dassault CEO drew a historical parallel: 'During the Second World War, it wasn't said that the Allies had lost the war because they had lost troops.' 'We'll see if there were losses, and if the war aims were achieved. When the truth comes out, some people may be surprised,' said Trappier. Islamabad had earlier claimed that it shot down six Indian aircraft on May 7 and 10. The hostilities were triggered after India's Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. India has so far not given a detailed breakdown of aircraft losses during the operation. However, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, Director General Air Operations, addressed a similar query in a May 11 press briefing. 'We are in a combat scenario; losses are a part of combat,' he stated, emphasising the mission's success. Bharti added, 'The question you must ask is whether we have achieved our objective of decimating the terrorist camps. The answer is a thumping yes.' India's Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, echoed similar sentiments. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Chauhan called Pakistan's claims 'absolutely incorrect.' While he did confirm that Indian jets were downed during the early stages of the conflict, he did not specify how many or whether Rafales were among them. When asked whether the Rafale still stands among the world's best combat aircraft, Trappier firmly stood by the fighter jet's credentials. 'I think that the Rafale is indeed the best aircraft in the world, better than the F-35 and much better than all the Chinese aircraft in the market.' He acknowledged that the Rafale could face challenges in a direct engagement with aircraft like the F-22. However, he stressed its versatility: 'It's always complicated to say that we're the best in absolute terms, but I sincerely think that we're the best in compromise… Suppose you want a single aircraft capable of air-to-air missions, reconnaissance, air-to-ground strikes, nuclear missions and being able to embark on an aircraft carrier. In that case, I think that the Rafale is indeed the best aircraft in the world.'
