| Ishan Ibrahim |
TEN youth delegates are currently representing the country as part of their participation in the 8th Brunei Darussalam-Republic of Korea Youth Exchange Programme, themed ‘Youth Entrepreneurship’.
The Brunei delegation is mainly composed of government officers, graduate and undergraduate students, and the alumni of the ‘Belia Cinta Tanah Air’ programme, who will be undergoing a nine-day educational and cultural experience in the Republic of Korea, until July 5.
Apart from discussions on entrepreneurship and a visit to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the delegates are expected to deliver a cultural presentation, which includes introducing their Korean hosts to local delicacies such as Ambuyat. Shortly before their departure, the delegates had a brief meeting with Mariam binti Ulat, the Acting Deputy Director of Youth and Sports, who reminded them to promote Brunei culture to their Korean counterparts, while also upholding the country’s good name.
The delegation leader, Norulhoda binti Muhammad Iskandar, said that previous participants had already benefitted from the exchange programme in terms of cultural, educational and other relevant aspects.
“It is my hope that the experience will boost our knowledge and expose us to the progress and specific fields related to entrepreneurship,” she said.
Fellow participant, Azizi Fakhri bin Noor Azalie, who is the owner of Uncle J’s Grill & Sandwiches, expressed a keen desire to set up new networking contacts and penetrate the Korean market.
“I also hope to give back to our Korean peers by sharing the Bruneian culture and our way of life,” he added.
The Brunei Darussalam-Republic of Korea Youth Exchange Programme was signed under the Memorandum of Understanding in 2010, with the aim of boosting further cooperation between the two countries.
The programme is also hoped to enhance further understanding through the participation of youths, where they will learn about the cultural, socio-economic and political aspects of their host country.