| Danial Norjidi |
A LOCAL student has become the first Bruneian to be awarded the 2nd Da Vinci Award and Scholarship.
Teo Siang Jun, a lower six student from Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College (MSPSBS)was announced as one of the two recipients of the esteemed award and scholarship, which is granted by the Asean+3 Centre for the Gifted in Science (ACGS).
It is stated in a press release issued by the Energy and Industry Department at the Prime Minister’s Office (EIDPMO) that the award is in recognition of his outstanding performance at the 5th Asean Plus Three Junior Science Odyssey (APTJSO), held from June 12 to 18, 2016 at the University of the Philippines Los Banos.
Teo Siang Jun received the award on October 28, 2016 at the Aspara Palace Resort & Conference Center, Siem Reap City, Cambodia, during the 71st Meeting of the Asean Committee on Science and Technology (COST-71), the 9th Informal Asean Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology (IAMMST-9) and other related Meetings.
Also present at the award ceremony were Haji Ali Yusri bin Haji Abdul Ghafor, the Acting Head, Special Education Unit (SEU) as the representative from the Ministry of Education, senior officers from the Energy and Industry Department at the Prime Minister’s Office as well as Teo Siang Jun’s parents.
Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mohamad Roselan bin Haji Mohamad Daud, the Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office as the Head of Brunei Darussalam’s delegation to the 9th IAMMST-9; and other officials in a group photo with Teo Siang Jun and his parents at the Gala Dinner. – EIDPMO
The award presentation was witnessed by Science and Technology Ministers and delegates from the Asean member states and Dialogue Partners. Recipients of the award received a certificate, a trophy, a USD500 prize money as scholarship with the return airfare and accommodation being sponsored by the ACGS.
Following the award ceremony, a Gala Dinner ensued to celebrate the recipients, which was also attended by Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mohamad Roselan bin Haji Mohamad Daud, the Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office as the Head of Brunei Darussalam’s delegation to the IAMMST-9 and Pengiran Kasmirhan bin Pengiran Haji Tahir, Brunei Darussalam’s Ambassador to Cambodia.
Teo Siang Jun was among 78 students representing their countries at the 5th APTJSO which included Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Sweden, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam.
He represented Brunei’s Team A in the Poster presentation and Laboratory Skills Assessment. The other members of the team were Muhammad Haziq Zikry bin Mohammad Ariff who is also from MSPSBS and Noor Imanina binti Haji Ahmad Nizam from Jerudong International School.
Brunei Darussalam’s participation was facilitated by the Gifted Education Programmes and Services (GEPS), Special Education Unit, Ministry of Education.
Teo Siang Jun and his team were bestowed the overall champion, the Gold Recipient of the Overall Performance (CHAMPION), of the 5th APTJSO based on the team’s stellar performance in the two categories. Brunei’s Team A grabbed first place in the Overall Laboratory Skills Assessment.
They also received Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals for Biology, Chemistry and Physics Laboratory Skills Assessment respectively.
The panel of independent judges at the 5th APTJSO recognised Teo Siang Jun’s outstanding performance as a member of Brunei Team A and a member in the mixed-country group as well as an individual. He demonstrated true scholarship and enthusiasm for learning at the competition and was equally sociable among peers.
Teo Siang Jun is one of the gifted students identified by the GEPS at the Special Education Unit, Ministry of Education.
He is currently enrolled in the Challenge Programme, a yearlong pullout programme offered to identify students by the GEPS. The programme aims to enhance students’ higher order thinking skills, creative thinking skills, and critical thinking skills by providing appropriate learning opportunities through independent research and project work.
Since 2009, the SEU has been actively identifying gifted and talented students in our education system, who may have the potential to fulfil Brunei’s aspirations.
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