Institut Teknologi Brunei (Brunei Institute of Technology), commonly referred to by its acronym "ITB", is one of the higher learning institutions in Brunei. Currently, the institute offers five Bachelor's degree courses including one twinning programme with Queen's University Belfast and fourteen Higher National Diploma courses. As of October, 2008, ITB has been upgraded to university status and retained its name. In November 1980, the Director of Education submitted a proposal to the government calling for the establishment of Institut Teknologi Brunei. He suggested that such an institution be created to expand the provision of technical education in Brunei Darussalam. A little less than two years later, in February 1982, the proposal was accepted by the government. As the physical establishment of the Institute was expected to take some time to complete, Pusat Latihan Teknikal Brunei was developed and expanded as an embryo for the Institute.