BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

ENTREPRENEURSHIP and youth empowerment were among the issues addressed by Brunei delegates at the third Johor International Student Leaders’ Conference (JISLC) held recently.

The two Bruneian youth, Muhd Danish Hj Abd Jalal, a student from Maktab Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah, and Muhd Norazwan Hj Md Anarul Adelluddin from Sengkurong Sixth Form Centre (PTES) presented the topics ‘Youth and Entrepreneurship’ and ‘Youth Empowerment and Youth as Agents of Change’ respectively during the conference.

“I believe entrepreneurship can create opportunities especially for youths like us. If we explore the real meaning of entrepreneurship, it can create possibilities to achieve success. It is not just about selling items and gaining profit,” said Muhd Danish.

In his presentation, Muhd Danish highlighted that entrepreneurship, in large, is innovating ideas and starting with a small capital.

This, he said, is contrary to the belief that starting a business requires thousands of dollars. He took examples of existing successful entrepreneurs like Adam Khoo and Robert Kiyosaki.

Meanwhile, Muhd Norazwan said that it is important for youth to take on leadership roles.

He reiterated His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s titah during the recent National Youth Day, whereby His Majesty highlighted that youth today will be among the key drivers in achieving the National Vision 2035.

“Hence, involving youth in council meeting and policy review will prepare them on what to expect in the future... for instance with Brunei Youth Council (MBB) involving the young people to review the National Youth Policy,” said Muhd Norazwan.

Held in Johor Bahru, Malaysia from April 27 to 28, the Bruneian duo joined hundreds of other school student leaders – aged 13 to 18 – from all around the world.

They also took part in a model United Nations assembly and made educational visits to Marlborough College in Malaysia and Legoland.

Themed “21st Century Global Leaders: Youth Empowerment and Change Agents”, the conference aimed to become a platform to groom and empower tomorrow’s young global leaders by involving them in a series of discussions, community initiatives, projects and other activities.

The conference was organised by the Johor Student Leaders’ Council (JSLC) and the Bruneian students were selected in their capacity as members of the the Pembimbing Rakan Remaja (PRR) or Peer Guidance Group at their respective schools.

Realising the importance of youth empowerment, the duo are now involved with Brunei Youth Council (MBB) to organise the inaugural National Student Leaders’ Conference slated for August.

The Brunei Times