Izah Azahari
Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman launched the 17th International School Brunei Borneo Global Issues Conference (ISB BGIC) at the International Convention Centre (ICC) yesterday.
Upon arrival, Her Royal Highness as the Royal Patron of the conference was welcomed to the venue by Chairman of ISB Board of Directors Haji Ahmad bin Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Diraja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Isa and ISB Executive Principal Laura Thomas.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, as well as invited foreign dignitaries, school officials and student representatives were also present.
The event began with a welcoming address by Laura Thomas who thanked Her Royal Highness for gracing the event, and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports for supporting the 22 participating schools and students in Brunei Darussalam, developing youth leadership and enhancing active learning experiences beyond the classroom to benefit the youth of Brunei at the centre of all their joint efforts and collaboration.
“We also wish to thank Brunei Shell Petroleum Co Sdn Bhd (BSP), Brunei LNG Sdn Bhd, Progresif Sdn Bhd and Brunei Cement for supporting and sponsoring ISB BGIC to foster international cooperation, develop caring global citizens in our community and increasing human capital,” added the executive principal.
The event also saw a welcoming speech by ISB BGIC Secretaries General (Student Leaders) Wei Han Ko and Ministry of Education Scholarship student Charissa Eve Bina thanking sponsors and supporters prior to the keynote address delivered by guest speakers, Acting Director of the Prisons Department under the Ministry of Home Affairs Haji Muhammad ‘Isamuddin bin Abdullah Juna, and board member of An-Nur Harapan and proponent of the UnikLearn Programme Noorsurainah binti Tengah on the conference’s theme, ‘Reduced Inequalities’.
Her Royal Highness delivered a sabda prior to officially launching the conference.
The event continued with the presentation of mementos by Her Royal Highness to sponsors and supporters – BSP, Brunei LNG, Progresif and Brunei Cement with support from TLT Enterprise, Interhouse, D’Sunlit Sdn Bhd and Brunei Press Sdn Bhd.
Her Royal Highness also presented certificates of participation to representatives from 22 government and private schools attending the conference.
A group photo with certificate recipients concluded the event.
The ISB BGIC is an annual student-led Model United Nations style conference where participants represent countries to address various views on current real world issues. The initiative is aimed at the development of students’ understanding of global citizenship and critical skills in research, public speaking and negotiation.