| Achong Tanjong |
OVER 300 participants signed up for the Varsity Cycle 4.0, a charity cycling expedition held to raise funds for the Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER) Brunei yesterday.
The event was held in conjunction with the 72nd birthday of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) and Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB).
Acting Permanent Secretary (Higher Education) at the Ministry of Education Dr Chin Wei Keh flagged off the event at 6.30am.
UBD Vice-Chancellor Datin Dr Hajah Anita Binurul Zahrina binti Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Wijaya Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Aziz, UNISSA Rector Dr Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal, UTB Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Hajah Zohrah binti Haji Sulaiman and KUPU SB Acting Ra’es Dr Haji Adanan bin Haji Basar joined the expedition alongside senior officials, lecturers, staff and students of the four universities, as well as members of the public.
In the fourth edition of the Varsity Cycle, participants cycled a 72km route spanning across the Muara-Tutong Highway, the Tungku Link and the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Highway towards Bandar Seri Begawan for the first pit-stop at the Prime Minister’s Office, hosted by UNISSA. They then continued to the second pit-stop at the Lambak Flyover, hosted by KUPU SB. It ended at the Integrated Sciences Building at UBD.
UBD Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Pengiran Dr Mohd Iskandar bin Pengiran Haji Petra said, “The event is an annually jointly organised by UBD, UNISSA, UTB and KUPU SB. This year it is held in conjunction with His Majesty’s 72nd birthday and the expedition covers a 72km distance.”
The event, which drew an encouraging response, was held not only for charity, but also to promote a healthy lifestyle, he said, adding that these days motorists are more alert to cyclists, compared to previous years ago.
