| Fizah HAB |
THE 8th National Conference on Autism drew to a close yesterday with the handing over of the Conference Resolution to the guest of honour Selina Cho, the Australian Chargé d’Affaires and Acting Australian Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, at Al-Afiah Hall, Ministry of Health.
Organised by Society for the Management of Autism Related Issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER) Brunei and Flinders University, the conference was attended by some 100 participants from field of Autism care and families of individuals with autism. Representatives from Flinders University, SMARTER Brunei, representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports as well as the Special Education Unit presented papers on Autism care and participated in workshops held over the two day program.
The conference also marked the end of the week placement with SMARTER Brunei for 10 Australian students from Flinders University. During their time in Brunei, the Flinders students took rotational placements at SMARTER’s Brunei Autism Centre for Adults (BACA) and Early Development Growth and Enabling (EDGE), learning practical teaching techniques designed to enable individuals with Autism to be fully participating members of the society.
The students also participated in other activities including planning social gatherings, working in SMARTER Washington Bakery, and a two-day camping trip to Berakas Forest Reserve.
Selina Cho noted in her speech, “The Australian Government, under the New Colombo Plan, is pleased to support exciting collaborations such as the one between SMARTER Brunei and Flinders University. I am confident that the students who have part in this programme will return to Australia with fond memories of their time in Brunei deeper understanding of the field of autism care, and a new appreciation of the benefit collaboration and consultation with experts from across our region. I would like to thank SMARTER for all the effort that they have put in to hosting the Flinders students, and I congratulate them on their successful hosting of the 8th Brunei National Conference on Autism.”
Also attending the closing ceremony were senior representatives from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports as well as members of the foreign diplomatic corps.
Selina Cho (L), the Australian Chargé d’Affaires and Acting Australian Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam receiving the Conference Resolution. – FIZAH HAB
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