Investing in learning. Aboitiz Foods’ Project Synergea enhances the Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) Agro-Technology Campus’ Broiler Management Farm Facility, empowering students with hands-on experience and knowledge to become future-ready champions of Brunei’s food security. / Photo Courtesy: IBTE

WASAN, Brunei Darussalam — Empowering the next generation of farmers through practical knowledge and hands-on experience is key to building resilient, sustainable food systems that adapt to the region’s evolving needs.

Guided by this belief, Aboitiz Foods, through Gold Coin Feedmill Brunei Sdn. Bhd. (Gold Coin Brunei), joined forces with the Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) Agro-Technology Campus in empowering future agriculture professionals and providing broiler farm essentials under Project Synergea.

Anchored on Aboitiz Foods’ purpose of sustainably feeding Asia’s growth from mill to meal, Project Synergea upgrades IBTE’s Broiler Management Farm Facility and equips students with technical expertise, nurturing a new generation of well-equipped, future-ready food producers to strengthen Brunei’s food security.

A synergy for sustainable growth. Aboitiz Foods, through Gold Coin Feedmill Brunei, partners with the Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) Agro-Technology Campus  to upgrade the school’s Broiler Management Farm Facility and further build the students’  agricultural knowledge and capacity through hands-on poultry education. / Photo Courtesy: IBTE

As part of this collaboration, Gold Coin Brunei officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IBTE and turned over essential broiler farm resources on November 4, 2025. The donation includes 400 day-old chicks and key poultry production inputs such as bell drinkers, feed feeders, wood shavings, industrial fans, and broiler feed. Gold Coin Brunei’s Veterinary team will also provide technical support to students and conduct knowledge-sharing seminars to build their capacity in proper poultry management and maintenance.

“Our mission at Aboitiz Foods goes beyond producing quality food. It’s about nourishing communities, empowering people, and creating opportunities toward shared progress,” said Dr. Marshal Mathews Chuat, Assistant Vice President for Business Operations for Gold Coin Brunei. “When we invest in learning, empower communities, collaborate, and work in synergy, we create shared value that uplifts everyone.”

Derived from the Greek word synergeía, meaning “working together,” Project Synergea embodies the purposeful partnerships. Through this initiative, students gain practical experience across the full production cycle — from chick raising to harvesting — and reinvest the proceeds of each broiler harvest into future training cycles, ensuring project sustainability.

“Strategic partnerships like today’s are the catalysts that transform vision into reality,” said Dr. Haji Mohd Zamri Bin Haji Sabli, IBTE’s Director of Technical Education and Chief Executive officer, adding, “Together, IBTE and Gold Coin Feedmill are not only enhancing poultry education — we are shaping a future where Brunei’s agriculture sector continues to thrive through innovation, sustainability, and collaboration.

By investing in youth development and strengthening IBTE’s agricultural training, Project Synergea supports Wawasan Brunei 2035 in shaping a well-educated, highly skilled generation ready to lead the nation’s growing food and agribusiness sector.

Leveraging its expertise and resources as one of the leading food and agribusiness companies in Asia Pacific, Aboitiz Foods continues to uphold its brand promise of nourishing the future. Through education and enterprise-driven partnerships like Project Synergea, the company helps build resilient communities, nurture local talent, and champion sustainable progress across the region.

Check out other Aboitiz Foods’ corporate social responsibility programs and sustainability initiatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What broader commitment does this initiative reflect for Aboitiz Foods?
Project Synergea embodies Aboitiz Foods’ purpose of sustainably feeding Asia’s growth from mill to meal. It demonstrates that the company’s mission extends beyond producing quality food — it encompasses nourishing communities, empowering people, and building education-driven partnerships that create shared value for local economies and future generations of food producers.

What is Project Synergea and what does it aim to achieve?
Project Synergea is a collaborative initiative between Gold Coin Feedmill Brunei and the Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) Agro-Technology Campus. It upgrades IBTE’s Broiler Management Farm Facility and provides hands-on poultry training to students, equipping future agriculture professionals with the technical expertise needed to strengthen Brunei’s food security and support the nation’s growing food and agribusiness sector.

What resources did Gold Coin Brunei provide to IBTE under this initiative?
Gold Coin Brunei donated 400 day-old chicks and essential poultry production inputs including bell drinkers, feed feeders, wood shavings, industrial fans, and broiler feed. Additionally, Gold Coin Brunei’s Veterinary team will provide ongoing technical support and conduct knowledge-sharing seminars to build student capacity in proper poultry management and farm maintenance.

How does Project Synergea ensure long-term sustainability?
The project uses a cycle-based sustainability model where students gain hands-on experience across the full poultry production cycle — from chick raising to harvesting. The income generated from each broiler harvest is reinvested into future training batches, ensuring that the educational program continues to run and benefit subsequent cohorts of students without requiring constant external funding.

How does Project Synergea align with Brunei’s national vision?
By investing in youth development and strengthening agricultural training, Project Synergea directly supports Wawasan Brunei 2035 — the nation’s long-term development plan. It helps shape a well-educated, highly skilled generation ready to lead Brunei’s food and agribusiness sector, addressing the country’s push for greater food self-sufficiency through innovation and sustainable practice.