BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

NINE exemplary students who were previously awarded with the prestigious “Sultan’s Scholar” of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah yesterday left for Singapore to attend the three-day Sultan’s Scholars Development Programme from August 11-13.

Led by an officer from the Yayasan, Hazmie Rafie Hassan, the students comprise Hjh Hafizah Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Nor, Hjh Andi Diinah Hj Aliasim, Ak Muhammad Muzhaffar Pg Hj Rusjdi, Nurul Hani Hj Tahir and Ak Muhammad Wafiuddin Pg Hj Zulkarnain.

Also joining them were Durrah Nafeesah Hj Idris, Muhamad Hazman Hj Abu Hassan, Ainul Azura Hj Mohd Jaya and Siti Musfirah Misli.

Of the total number, six students are currently studying at the prestigious universities in the United Kingdom such as University of Cambridge, University College London and Imperial College London, while three others are pursuing their degrees at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt.

They received the Sultan’s Scholar Award in the period of 2012/2013, 2013/2014 and 2014/2015.

They are also known as the first cohort of Sultan’s Scholar who undergo the development programme held at Singapore Civil Service College.

One of the participants, Hjh Hafizah Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Nor, said that the programme in Singapore will include numerous talks with representatives from different agencies during which question and answer session will also take place.

“I really want to learn more how they (Singapore) achieved so much in 50 years and see which (areas) we can apply in Brunei,” said Hjh Hafizah, who is majoring in Architecture at the University of Cambridge.

Another Sultan’s Scholar recipient, Ak Md Wafiuddin Pg Hj Zulkarnain, who is currently pursuing his degree in Syariah at Al-Azhar University, is looking forward to the development programme in Singapore where he could learn about the country’s economic development, including its housing scheme.

Ak Md Wafiuddin hoped that the development programme in Singapore will benefit and nurture the participants in becoming the future leaders.

It is previously reported that the Sultan’s Scholar scheme is one of the most prestigious scholarships offered in Brunei, exclusively given to students who obtain commendable results in their GCE A-Levels or its equivalent.

Selected students must also be active in extra-curricular activities and community work within the country in order to obtain the exclusive scholarship to further their studies to a higher level at prestigious universities recognised by the Foundation and the Ministry of Education.

The Brunei Times