| Lyna Mohamad |
SIXTEEN students and four officials of Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) left the country for Jakarta on Monday evening to embark on their Humanitarian Mission for Lombok Earthquake.
The group led by Director of Core Education Centre at KUPU SB Dr Haji Noralizam bin Haji Aliakbar was sent off at the Brunei International Airport by the university college’s Ra’es Dr Haji Adanan bin Haji Basar, Acting Director Administration at the Ministry of Religious Affairs Md Sopian bin Haji Basri and officials from the college.
Dr Haji Noralizam said the mission is part of the students’ social responsibility practical component.
The Jakarta mission is the first time for the students holding activities for the component abroad. The mission serves to encourage the students to carry out humanitarian welfare activities abroad and is the first time a higher learning institution in Brunei engages in such an activity. It is initiated by the college’s Core Education Centre and part of its Community Service Curriculum programme.
The mission also aims to raise the students’ awareness and sensitivity towards the community, and foster a sense of social responsibility in caring for the underprivileged, particularly those in Lombok.
“Through this mission, the students will be able to develop their own potentials creatively, innovatively and productively for the community and the country’s welfare,” Dr Haji Noralizam said.
The mission, he added, serves also to strengthen the ties between the students and the people of Lombok.
“It is our hope that this first ever mission abroad will be carried out successfully as planned and meet the objectives with the students able to gain valuable experience to equip them as future educators,” Dr Haji Noralizam said.
The group will be in Lombok on January 8, where they will join villagers to carry out several activities, including distributing basic food necessities to around 400 recipients, holding a Tazkirah and sports therapy session, as well as getting involved in community services such as repairing and cleaning schools, houses, religious huts and mosques.
“We will also be engaged in farming activities with villagers and the slaughtering of chickens, goats and cows to prepare for the food distribution to the villagers, as well as make cash and clothing donations to victims of the December tsunami,” Dr Haji Noralizam added.