| Hakim Hayat |
UNDERLINING that Brunei’s efforts in intellectual capital development are making major headways, a group of young talents has brought laurels to the country once again with an exemplary demonstration of excellence in research.
Bruneian students from Tutong Sixth Form Centre won first place in the 6th Singapore Technologies Endowment Programme (STEP) – National University of Singapore (NUS) Sunburst Brain Camp in Singapore, with their research paper on Williams Syndrome.
The four lower sixth students – Dayangku Nur Haziqah Syuhadah binti Pengiran Izudin Abas; Izzul Afiq Amirun bin Muayah; Mohamad Naqib Nasrullah bin Mohammad Yussof, and Norzafirah binti Ishak – took part in the week-long camp that concluded yesterday at the NUS, under the supervision of their teacher Raihan binti Haji Nokman.
The paper, which described the developmental disorder that affects many parts of the body caused by a genetic problem, was presented before 150 students from Asean, China, Japan, South Korea and India and judged based on originality and creativity.
This is Brunei’s sixth participation in the STEP-NUS Sunburst Brain Camp since 2012 and last year, a delegation from Sengkurong Sixth Form Centre won third place for their research paper on Parkinson’s disease.
The four students from Tutong Sixth Form Centre in a group photo with their supervising teacher and the Acting Director of Schools, Zaman bin Haji Gapar at the Brunei International Airport. – HAKIM HAYAT
Speaking to the Sunday Bulletin upon their arrival at the Brunei International Airport yesterday, Izzul Afiq Amirun from the winning team said that they followed Harvard University’s method and infused it with their own way of presentation, while making use of pictures and heavy referencing.
Izzul explained that Williams Syndrome is a rare and random genetic condition that can happen to anyone from birth and is characterised by the deficiency of genes that causes medical problems, including cardiovascular disease and developmental delays.
Izzul said their participation in the camp has made them very proud. “It gives me more confidence and inspires me to push my subjects more towards the neurological side of science,” he said, while also acknowledging the great team effort that transpired throughout the preparation into the presentation stage. “We spent a lot of time together in the afternoon after school to prepare our research paper and presentation,” he shared.
The camp, jointly organised by STEP and NUS is an educational science programme that aims to inspire and educate secondary and tertiary students on brain research and understanding of brain functions and diseases; and to foster interaction and friendship between students from Asean member countries, China, India, Japan and South Korea.
Apart from producing and presenting the research paper, the delegates also attended several lectures and workshops on neuroscience and visited the Conservatory and Centre of Life Sciences and Science Centre in Singapore.
Present at the airport to welcome the winning team yesterday along with their family members were the Acting Director of Schools, Zaman bin Haji Gapar as well as other officials from the Ministry of Education.
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