| Hakim Hayat |
THE Brunei Darussalam Amateur Radio Association (BDARA) remains active, rendering its service to society and participating in activities organised by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU). The association looks to further expand by roping in youths in the country.
The association yesterday hosted a celebration marking World Amateur Radio Day 2018 – under the theme ‘Celebrating Amateur Radio’s Contribution to Society’ – at the Scouts Camp in Kampong Mata-Mata, with dozens of its members in attendance.
In his speech, Director of the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) and Acting Director of the Fire and Rescue Department Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Haji Maiddin bin Pengiran Haji Said highlighted BDARA’s active participation in community services, and in lending communication assistance to public and private organisations. He also discussed becoming volunteers for the NDMC.
Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Haji Maiddin pointed out that the National Standard Operation Procedure (NASOP) training for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and relevant agencies – including BDARA – has been organised since January 2018, allowing volunteers a deeper understanding of the government structure directly involved in disaster operations, and the scope of cooperation with volunteers and the community.
Meanwhile, event chairperson Major (Rtd) Haji Tamat bin Haji Lampoh noted that amateur radio has progressed from merely being a hobby, moving in-sync with telephones and weather radar technology.
He noted that New Zealand had last year launched an amateur radio satellite to the Pacific Ocean for a project to study the capability of VHF frequency in outer space.
He shared that the technology has enabled radio communications from outer space to make contact with BDARA members. He also said BDARA members are heading overseas, including Indonesia and South Korea, for amateur radio conventions and meetings with their counterparts, in a bid to expand their knowledge and experience.
In the long run, BDARA seeks to expand its membership to more youth participation, in response to calls made by the country to see more youth participation in nation-building, to be the next generation leaders and in helping achieve the Brunei Vision 2035.
World Amateur Radio Day is celebrated on April 18 to mark the anniversary of the IARU that was incepted in April 1925.
The post BDARA sets sight on roping in more youths appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.