| Faza Suraj |
THE Bruneian hospitality was clearly felt by a group of students from Curtin University Sarawak Malaysia as they arrived in Brunei yesterday to begin their social work visit.
YB Awang Haji Mohd Shafiee bin Ahmad, a member of the Legislative Council, welcomed the 14 students of different nationalities led by Bruneian Nurul Qamariyyah binti Haji Abdul Wahab, who is the Organising Chairperson.
The visit is a part of the four-day-three-night Building Brunei Programme conducted by the Humanitarian Affairs Curtin Sarawak (HACS) in collaboration with the Executive of Community Services and Student Welfare (ECS) of Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
Nurul Qamariyyah who is originally from Kampong Bebatik Kilanas said that Belait District was chosen over other locations in the Sultanate as it is in line with the programme’s aim to serve communities and help the less fortunate.
A group photo of the Curtin University Sarawak students with YB Awang Haji Mohd Shafiee bin Ahmad, a member of the Legislative Council. – FAZA SURAJ
“There are quite a number of places that we can visit in the (Brunei) capital but Belait offers various places where our group can help make an impact,” she said, adding that the visit was also an effort to build a relationship between Curtin University and Brunei as well as encourage volunteerism among the participants.
“One of the main reasons why I go to Curtin University is because of its international status where I get to mingle with people from different cultures,” added the 21-year-old Entrepreneurship and Marketing student.
Haniff Ahmad Shah, the Head of Logistics in the programme who is originally from Johor, Malaysia said that it was his second visit to Brunei but his first time in Belait District. He felt privileged to meet with one of the community leaders in Brunei.
“He made us feel at home,” said the Mechanical Engineering student.
Volunteers who join the programme are seeking new experiences, said Sufrina Sufian a Mechanical Engineering student who is originally from Sabah.
“We can have different experiences such as doing community service,” said the 22-year-old, adding that the visit allowed the participants to step out of their comfort zone.
Among the other places the students will visit are Pusat Bahagia Eric Goh, an old folks home and Menderam Besar Longhouse to conduct community service activities.
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