MONDAY, 22 JUNE 2026 – The Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (SHHBIDSS) welcomed Major General (Ret.) Suzanne P. Vares-Lum, Director of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS), United States, to the Institute this afternoon.
Major General (Ret.) Vares-Lum was accompanied by Colonel David Bradley, United States Defense Attaché to Brunei Darussalam; Colonel (Ret.) Dr James Minnich, Professor at DKI APCSS; Commander Bert Bratton, Chief of the United States Military Group at the Embassy of the United States in Brunei Darussalam; and Mr Douglass Carroll, Deputy Public Affairs Officer of DKI APCSS.
The delegation was received by Dayangku Dr Noor Hasharina binti Pengiran Haji Hassan, Director of SHHBIDSS. During the visit, both sides exchanged views on regional and international security developments, as well as issues of mutual interest relating to defence, strategic studies and professional education. The delegation was also briefed on SHHBIDSS’ recent activities and initiatives in support of defence research, strategic engagement and capacity-building.
The visit provided an opportunity for SHHBIDSS and DKI APCSS to reaffirm their engagement and explore avenues for further cooperation in areas such as strategic dialogue, professional development, research collaboration and knowledge-sharing initiatives. Discussions also highlighted the importance of continued engagement among defence and security institutions in promoting greater understanding of emerging challenges affecting the Indo-Pacific region.
Major General (Ret.) Vares-Lum was in Brunei Darussalam to officiate the Indo-Pacific Security Education Leaders (IPSEL) Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE), that was held in Brunei Darussalam. During her visit, she also undertook a series of engagements with key stakeholders and institutions, including SHHBIDSS.
SHHBIDSS and DKI APCSS have maintained a positive and productive relationship over the years. In 2021, both institutions collaborated on a virtual dialogue series focusing on Emerging Technologies. More recently, SHHBIDSS hosted Dr Lori Forman, then Acting Deputy Director of DKI APCSS, during her visit to Brunei Darussalam in 2024. SHHBIDSS has also welcomed DKI APCSS representatives as speakers and participants in various initiatives, including the East Asia Security Outlook Seminar (EASO).
The visit reflects the continued commitment of both institutions to strengthening professional exchanges and advancing cooperation in strategic dialogue, research and capacity-building.
PENGARAH DANIEL K. INOUYE ASIA-PACIFIC CENTER FOR SECURITY STUDIES (DKI APCSS) MENGADAKAN LAWATAN KE IPPSSHHB
ISNIN, 22 JUN 2026 – Institut Pengajian Pertahanan dan Strategik Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (IPPSSHHB) telah menerima lawatan daripada Mejar Jeneral (Bersara) Suzanne P. Vares-Lum, Pengarah Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS), Amerika Syarikat, ke Institut pada petang ini.
Mejar Jeneral (Bersara) Vares-Lum diiringi oleh Kolonel David Bradley, Atase Pertahanan Amerika Syarikat ke Negara Brunei Darussalam; Kolonel (Bersara) Dr James Minnich, Profesor di DKI APCSS; Komander Bert Bratton, Ketua Kumpulan Tentera Amerika Syarikat di Kedutaan Amerika Syarikat di Negara Brunei Darussalam; serta Douglass Carroll, Timbalan Pegawai Hal Ehwal Awam DKI APCSS.
Delegasi tersebut telah dialu-alukan oleh Dayangku Dr Noor Hasharina binti Pengiran Haji Hassan, Pengarah IPPSSHHB. Semasa lawatan tersebut, kedua-dua pihak telah bertukar pandangan mengenai perkembangan keselamatan serantau dan antarabangsa, di samping membincangkan perkara-perkara berkepentingan bersama berkaitan pertahanan, pengajian strategik dan pendidikan profesional. Delegasi turut diberikan taklimat mengenai aktiviti dan inisiatif terkini IPPSSHHB dalam menyokong penyelidikan pertahanan, penglibatan strategik dan pembangunan kapasiti.
Lawatan tersebut turut memberikan peluang kepada IPPSSHHB dan DKI APCSS untuk meningkatkan hubungan kerjasama yang telah terjalin serta meneroka peluang untuk memperkukuhkan kerjasama dalam bidang dialog strategik, pembangunan profesional, kerjasama penyelidikan dan inisiatif perkongsian ilmu. Perbincangan juga menekankan kepentingan penglibatan berterusan antara institusi pertahanan dan keselamatan dalam meningkatkan pemahaman terhadap cabaran-cabaran baharu yang mempengaruhi rantau Indo-Pasifik.
Mejar Jeneral (Bersara) Vares-Lum berada di Brunei Darussalam untuk merasmikan Indo-Pacific Security Education Leaders (IPSEL) Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE), yang diadakan di Negara Brunei Darussalam. Semasa berada di negara ini, beliau juga menjalankan beberapa siri penglibatan dengan pihak berkepentingan dan institusi, termasuk IPPSSHHB
IPPSSHHB dan DKI APCSS telah menjalinkan hubungan yang positif dan produktif sejak beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini. Pada tahun 2021, kedua-dua institusi telah bekerjasama dalam penganjuran siri dialog secara maya yang memfokuskan kepada Emerging Technologies. Pada tahun 2024, IPPSSHHB turut menerima lawatan daripada Dr Lori Forman, ketika itu Pemangku Timbalan Pengarah DKI APCSS. Selain itu, IPPSSHHB juga telah menjemput wakil-wakil DKI APCSS sebagai penceramah dan peserta dalam pelbagai inisiatif yang dianjurkan oleh Institut, termasuk Seminar East Asia Security Outlook Seminar (EASO).
Lawatan ini mencerminkan komitmen berterusan kedua-dua institusi untuk memperkukuhkan pertukaran profesional serta memajukan kerjasama dalam bidang dialog strategik, penyelidikan dan pembangunan kapasiti.