| Izah Azahari |
THE Australian High Commission in Brunei Darussalam yesterday premiered its ‘Never Say No’ video – a short promotional film produced by the High Commission which captures the experience of 10 Australian students from Flinders University, Adelaide, who undertook work placement at the Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER) Brunei from September to October 2016.
Held at the SMARTER Edge Centre in Kampong Mata-Mata, Gadong, the screening was attended by Australian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Nicola Rosenblum, SMARTER Brunei CEO and founder Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Othman, as well as SMARTER staff, families and students.
“The staff and families of SMARTER Brunei are such generous, wonderful hosts to the Flinders students who visit each year, and we wanted to ensure they were the first to see themselves on screen,” said Rosenblum at the screening.
She noted that the clip highlights the personal and academic development of the Australian students during their time in Brunei, while at the same time showcasing the community spirit and sense of fun that epitomises working with SMARTER Brunei.
Australian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Nicola Rosenblum delivering an informal welcoming speech at the screening. – PHOTOS: IZAH AZAHARI
SMARTER CEO and Founder Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Othman takes Nicola Rosenblum on a tour of the facility.
The video will also be shown in Australia to demonstrate the success of the Flinders-SMARTER collaboration, and promote Brunei as a destination under the scheme to other students and universities.
The Flinders University programme in Brunei is funded by the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan initiative.
During the students’ time in Brunei, they undertook rotational placements at SMARTER’s Adult (BACA) and Early Development (Edge) Centres, learning practical teaching techniques designed to enable Individuals with autism to be fully participating members of society.
In addition to classroom learning, activities included planning social gatherings, working in SMARTER’s Washington Bakery, and a two-day camping trip at Berakas Forest Reserve Recreational Park.
The Flinders University – SMARTER Brunei programme commenced in 2015, and is funded until 2018.
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