| Wani Roslan |
HIS Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, presented awards to 29 recipients in recognition of their contribution towards the development of the country’s education system and their roles in educating the younger generation in a ceremony commemorating the 26th Teacher’s Day at the Plenary Hall of the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas.
Among the recipients was Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti, who received the Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Education Award for his significant contribution to Brunei’s education development as well as in appreciation of services given to the Government of His Majesty.
Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz began his career as a religious officer at the Religious Affairs Department in 1970 and throughout his 46 years of service with the government of His Majesty, he has held various posts.
In 1971, he was appointed as Superintendent of Information and Tabligh (Penguasa Penerangan dan Tabligh), and in 1976, he was appointed as Senior Religious Officer, Deputy Chief Kadi in 1983 and Director of Syariah Affairs at the Ministry of Religious Affairs in 1986. In 1989, he was entrusted with the position of Deputy State Mufti and in 1994, he was appointed as State Mufti until today.
Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz has held high profile positions and led various committees and organisations at the national and international level.
His interest in literature and writing has led him to produce more than 50 books.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam presenting the award to Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti. – PHOTOS: AZROL AZMI
His Majesty presenting the award to Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Saman bin Kahar.
One of his prominent books, ‘Buku Qanun Jenayah Syar’iah: Satu Pengenalan’ was produced from a series of 11 Mufti Lecture classes in conjunction with the celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) birthday 1434/2013.
The book was declared a best seller under the academic category during the Brunei Book Fair in 2014 and sales have reached 5,000 copies. His book has been reprinted three times.
The State Mufti in an interview shared that the concepts of former and current education are similar and the only differences are the ways and patterns of teaching and learning following diversification such as the use of technology.
“The factors teachers need in creating a ‘Generation with a Vision’ include looking at themselves as role models for students. This is how our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) conveyed a message and communicated with people,” he added.
He also underlined that being truthful and trustworthy are among the characteristics that teachers should have as students are not just listening to them, but they also see what they are doing, be it positive or negative.
Meanwhile, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Abdul Saman bin Kahar, also a recipient of the Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Education Award, during an interview with the Bulletin shared his views on the important characteristics of a teacher highlighting that educators must know how to handle students.
“Teachers should be able to use appropriate ways to carry out their responsibilities as educators,” he said.
Dato Paduka Awang Haji Abdul Saman began his career at the age of 24 as religious teacher at Hassanal Bolkiah Boys Arabic Secondary School and was appointed as the principal of the school in 1970.
With his abilities as a leader, he was appointed as the principal of Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College, the first sixth form centre in the country in 1976.
He also held various important positions in the government sector including Superintendent of Information and Tabligh (Penguasa Penerangan dan Tabligh) at the Religious Affairs Department in 1969, Head of Religious Education Officer in 1975, Deputy Principal Officer of Religious Affairs in 1979 and Principal Officer of Religious Affair in 1980.
His significant contribution can be seen in the development of education at the national and international level and he played an important role in establishing Universiti Brunei Darussalam and the Institute of Islamic Studies by planning, preparing and drafting legislations for the institutions.
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