BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

CONFIDENT young Bruneian leaders can be sculptured from the Eighth Brunei-Singapore Students Leaders Camp (BSAC) 2014.

BSAC Group Instructor Muhd Zaki Akmal echoed this while speaking to The Brunei Times during a BSAC visit to Kampung Sungai Matan.

He explained there were 40 students in the camp, 20 from Brunei and 20 from Singapore.

The 40 were divided into four groups of 10 dubbed Bukit Patoi, Bukit Markucing, Bukit Teraja and Bukit Ambok.

Each group ran four activities. These were traditional basket weaving; catching fish and crabs with a rambat (fishing net); processing dried anchovies and shrimps; and cooking traditional sweet delicacies.

Muhd Zaki said a leader was appointed for group with a new leader being chosen every time the group did another activity.

“This helps students learn to work together and encourage the appointed leaders to step up to the plate, communicate, coordinate with fellow team members,” the 16-year-old said.

“For the Bruneians, they got to test their leadership skills, learn to lead some Singapore students. The Singapore students got to see Brunei’s Water Village and history.”

Muhd Zaki, who dreams of becoming a doctor, is a BSAC Alumni who joined in the 7th BSAC and volunteered to help his juniors.

After an appointed leader finished his stint, Muhd Zaki and his peers would advise them on what areas the particular BSAC participant could polish on.

One trait he was most grateful for was that BSAC taught him to stay cool and confident in public speaking.

His sentiment was shared by BSAC participant Waznah Hj Mohammad Jaafar who said the camp has helped her project her voice and better deliver her ideas across in groups.

“Being a leader doesn’t mean being bossy to others, it means you lead and also listen,” said the Sekolah Tinggi Perempuan Raja Isteri (STPRI) student who dreams of becoming an education officer.

“The change of leaders in every activity teaches us to adapt to new ideas and even when we lead, we should learn to listen to what others have to say.”

“Meeting with the Singaporean students was awkward at first, but working together we became more positive, open minded – and we actually got closer together.”

One of four BSAC chaperones Zulhezan Hj Abdullah said despite a close age difference, the Bruneian students can learn so much from their Singaporean counterparts. “There are two qualities our students can learn. One is on time management but both students aren’t that far apart in this aspect,” said the education officer from the Sayyidina Husain Secondary School, Jerudong.

The Brunei Times