BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE US Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan is currently accepting applications from young Bruneians interested in participating in Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Autumn 2015 Fellowships in the United States.

The YSEALI community consists of bright young leaders 18–35 years old from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Burma, Philippines, Laos, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. There are two types of fellowships available – the YSEALI Academic Fellowship for students aged 18-25 year old, and the YSEALI Professional Fellowship for 25-35 year old working professionals.

“The goal of the fellowships, and all YSEALI programmes, is to build the leadership capabilities of youth in the region, strengthen ties between the United States and Southeast Asia, and nurture an ASEAN community,” said the embassy in a statement yesterday.

YSEALI focuses on critical topics identified by youth in the region, such as environment and natural resource management, civic engagement, entrepreneurship and economic development.

US Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Craig Allen described the YSEALI Fellows Programme as “a wonderful opportunity for the United States and Southeast Asian nations, including Brunei Darussalam, to work together in building the leadership skills and professional expertise of young people throughout the ASEAN region.

“We believe that the people-to-people connections promoted by these programmes will enhance participants’ practical expertise, develop their leadership skills and expand their professional contacts. This will, in turn, support their careers and their contributions to the future development of Brunei Darussalam. I encourage young leaders to apply for the fellowships and sign up to be YSEALI members, and to make a difference in their communities,” he said.

Fellowship themes in 2015 will include environmental issues, entrepreneurship and economic development. Students interested in the academic fellowship may email AhmadI2@state.gov for applications. The closing date for applications is May 22, 2015. Young professionals interested in a professional fellowship should visit http://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/yseali-professional-fellows-pr... for programme details and application materials. The closing date for the Professional Fellowship program is June 1, 2015.

The Brunei Times