Izah Azahari
A total of 119 students from higher education institutions attended an outreach programme on the National Youth Strategy and Policy (DBNS) 2020-2035 conducted by the DBNS Youth Advisory Group (YAG) in partnership with the Brunei Youth Council at the Banquet Hall of the Legislative Council Building yesterday.
The event comprising a briefing on the DBNS and its functions, a Youth Snapshot, as well as discussions among the participants, followed by a dialogue with Legislative Council members Yang Berhormat Siti Rozaimeriyanty binti Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Abdul Rahman, Yang Berhormat Nik Hafimi binti Abdul Haadii and Yang Berhormat Khairunnisa binti Haji Ash’ari.
Deputy Permanent Secretary (Higher Education) at the Ministry of Education Dr Chin Wei Keh, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Youth and Sports) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Haji Maiddin bin Pengiran Haji Said, and Head of the Manpower Planning and Employment Secretariat (MPEC) at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Marzalenie binti Haji Omar also joined the dialogue.
The event was aimed at introducing the DBNS to the youth, increasing awareness on youth programmes and initiatives, as well as gaining input from youth for national development.
This was the third outreach session held this year, following two outreach sessions at the Belalong Hall in the Temburong District and Ma’had Islam Brunei in Tutong District. The outreach sessions will be held nationwide until March 2021.
The highlights of the discussion included the importance of developing soft skills and the benefits of volunteering to boost employability. It also touched on developing business, the education system, renewable energy and the healthcare system.
Towards the end of the session, the panellists offered a challenge for the participants to sign up for a volunteering or youth programme.
A mini exhibition was also held by the DBNS strategic partners including MPEC, JobCentre Brunei, DARe, the Sekretariat Tetap Wawasan Brunei 2035, the Brunei Climate Change Secretariat, the Youth Development Centre, the Community Development Department and the Department of Youth and Sports.
In line with the DBNS’ first core strategy, which is a nationwide cooperation. The DBNS YAG was established with members of different backgrounds, age, occupations, and socio-economic status within one year to act as a platform for the local youth and the government in promoting youth development in the country.