| Lyna Mohamad |
MUHAMMAD Firdaus bin Sudirman of Pengiran Isteri Hajjah Mariam Secondary School, Serasa, Muara did his school proud after emerging champion of the finals of the Brunei History Centre’s 2nd History Quiz Competition held at the Radio Television Brunei (RTB) Studio in Kampong Sungai Akar yesterday.
Muhammad Firdaus, who accumulated a total of 28 points on his way to being named as the winner of this year’s quiz, received a BND750 cash prize and the Pehin Jawatan Dalam Trophy from the guest of honour, Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar.
Principal of the Brunei History Centre Pehin Jawatan Dalam Seri Maharaja Dato Seri Utama (Dr) Haji Awang Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri bin Begawan Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Seri Paduka Haji Awang Umar was also present.
Organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and RTB, the competition is part of the centre’s efforts to make history more interesting and understandable by all levels of society, particularly students and the youth.
It also has the objectives of instilling a critical thinking culture among Years 9, 10 and 11 students throughout the country and enhancing their thinking ability to enable them to be more sensitive towards the country’s history in terms of being a source of reference and study.
The competition in addition aims to make history an interesting subject to study, as well as raise awareness among the young generation on its value towards nation-building and instil a love for the monarch, religion, nation and country.
Themed Sejarah Wadah Pencetus Minda, the competition started off with 56 students during the preliminary rounds, after which only eight contestants made it to the semifinals where the four finalists were determined.
During the final stage, the finalists accumulated points from the six competition rounds in several formats, with the contestant who accumulated the most points being named as the winner.
With eight points less than Muhd Firdaus in his competition total, Muhammad Aiman Syahmi bin Rosman of Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit Girls Arabic Religious Secondary School finished as the first runner-up and walked away with a cash prize of BND500.
Coming in third with 15 points was Syifa Syazawani binti Suhaimi of Lambak Kiri Secondary School, while Muhd Nabil Safwan bin Rahim clocked in at fourth with 12 points.