| Rokiah Mahmud |
THE Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER) yesterday launched its Early Development Growth and Enabling (EDGE) Centre located at Kampong Perpindahan Mata-Mata, Gadong.
The SMARTER EDGE Centre is located next to the office of SMARTER Brunei which was allotted by the Ministry of Health.
Officiating the opening was His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik.
Upon arrival, His Royal Highness was welcomed by Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports; Dato Paduka Dr Awang Haji Zulkarnain bin Haji Hanafi, Minister of Health; and Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Othman, CEO and President of SMARTER Brunei.
In his welcoming speech, the SMARTER Brunei president explained that the association has come a long way and achieved many milestones through creating awareness on autism in Brunei Darussalam.
His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Othman, CEO and President of the Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER) Brunei taking a closer look at one of the sponsored classrooms located in the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Block of SMARTER’s Early Development Growth and Enabling (EDGE) Centre located at Kampong Perpindahan Mata-Mata, Gadong.
His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik presenting the Certificate of Appreciation to generous sponsor, Tsara Nawwarah binti Abdullah Chen, Senior Occupational Therapist at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital. Dato Paduka Dr Awang Haji Zulkarnain bin Haji Hanafi, Minister of Health, is also seen
His Royal Highness presenting the Certificate of Appreciation to generous sponsor, Dorothy Newn, Head of Communications of Baiduri Bank
His Royal Highness touring the DST-sponsored classroom and signing a memorabilia plaque
His Royal Highness in a group photo with Caroline Sim, Head of Great Eastern Life Brunei for sponsoring the Paddling Pool and Sand Area. PHOTOS: AZROL AZMI
“Our advocacy seeks to create greater awareness about autism so that the whole community can show more compassion, understanding, empathy and support, not only to individuals with autism but also their parents, siblings and family members.”
The SMARTER EDGE Centre emphasises on welcoming, inviting, supporting and encouraging (WISE) approach and not command, demand or disciplining.
“We develop our own programmes, activities and curriculum which we call STEP (Social Training, Educational and Psychological) and it must meet our FAST criteria (Flexible, Accessible, Sustainable and Teachable, or Transferable) using low cost technology.”
All these achievements are only possible with the collective efforts of all stakeholders – private and public sectors and the whole community.
After the speech, His Royal Highness officiated the opening of SMARTER EDGE Centre and signed a commemorative plaque.
It was followed by the presentation of certificates to donors and sponsors for the construction of the centre that comprise Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (Yayasan), Occupational Therapist at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital, Disabilities Studies Flinders University Australia, Jigsaw Primary School, Baiduri Bank, LSL Sdn Bhd, Syarikat Perniagaan Malar Setia, Insurans Islam TAIB, DST Group, Zumara Group, Kingston Beverage and Creamery Sdn Bhd and LKY Foundation for Autism, D’Sunlit Sdn Bhd and Great Eastern Life Brunei.
His Royal Highness also toured the facilities and classrooms at the SMARTER EDGE Centre.
As of today, SMARTER Brunei has three centres – one in Kuala Belait, one in Kampong Jangsak and the new EDGE Centre in Kampong Mata-Mata.
The new centre could accommodate a maximum of 72 students each in the morning and afternoon sessions.
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