| Izah Azahari |
HER Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman yesterday consented to attend the Premier Talk of the Knowledge Convention 2018, at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas.
Her Royal Highness was accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam.
Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Datin Seri Paduka Dayang Hajah Elinda binti Haji CA Mohammad as Chairperson of the Working Committee for the Premier Talk of the Knowledge Convention 2018 greeted the royal entourage upon arrival.
Datin Hajah Norhaida binti Haji Sulaiman, Datin Hajah Zalina binti Haji Omar, Pengiran Datin Noor Yasimah binti Pengiran Anak Haji Hashim and Datin Hajah Maimunah binti Haji CA Mohammad, the spouses of the Co-Chairmen of the Steering Committee for the Knowledge Convention 2018 also greeted Her Royal Highness.
The event began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Senior Religious Officer at the Department of Mosque Affairs Norainiyanti binti Haji Hussin.
This was followed by a welcoming address by Datin Seri Paduka Dayang Hajah Elinda, who said that this year’s theme ‘The Agricultural Sector: the Survivability of the People and Nation’, is a response to the titah 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, which highlighted the importance of economic development, towards realising the goals of Brunei Vision 2035, particularly in the field of agriculture.
She also gave an outline of the main topic at the Premier Talk, ‘Women as Supporters of National Aspirations in the Field of Agriculture’, which focussed on the involvement of women in the agriculture and livestock industry.
“It is hoped to give a correct perception to the public, especially among women, that this field can be positively managed as a career or source of income, to support our country’s aspirations for more robust and effective gains in the agricultural sector,” she said.
The ceremony continued with the Premier Talk, presented by Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) Professor Dr Hajah Zohrah binti Haji Sulaiman.
Later, a Doa Selamat was recited to mark the conclusion of the Premier Talk.
Her Royal Highness proceeded to the Royal Lounge, where she signed a commemorative parchment and posed for a group photo with the members of the Steering Committee for the Knowledge Convention 2018.
Her Royal Highness then toured a mini-exhibition at the ICC, highlighting main areas of the local agriculture industry: Paddy, Cultivation, Livestock, Agrifood and Fisheries.
The exhibition was conducted with a ‘whole-of-nation’ approach, involving the joint cooperation of the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, the Ministry of Finance and Economy, and the Ministry of Energy, Manpower and Industry.