BRUNEI STUDENTS’ UNION OUTREACH TOUR: MAKTAB DULI PENGIRAN MUDA AL-MUHTADEE BILLAH & PUSAT TINGKATAN ENAM SENGKURONG

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, WEDNESDAY 14th August 2019 – The Brunei Students Union in the United Kingdom & Eire (BSUnion) collaborated with the Brunei Religious Officers Student Association (BruROSA) to hold an outreach programme at Maktab Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah (MDPMAMB) and Pusat Tingkatan Enam Sengkurong (PTES) on the 10th and 14th of August 2019 respectively. The outreach tour was themed “Author of Your Future: Creating Your Own Storyline”. A total of 230 upper-sixth students from MDPMAMB and PTES (114 and 116 students respectively) participated in the event, which was led and facilitated by members of BruROSA, the BSUnion, as well as other Bruneian students studying in the United Kingdom & Eire. Several teachers were also in attendance, with more emphasis on the presence of teachers in the careers section of the schools mentioned.

The programme aims to provide a safe space for students to express concerns about their future and help them realise the potential that lies within. It also encourages students to reflect on and pursue their own career pathways, while also instilling motivation and reminding them of their significance in shaping the future of the nation.

The event at MDPMAMB on the 10th of August 2019 was blessed with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah by Awangku Mohammad Hisyam Al-Yura bin Pengiran Haji Zainal Abidin (President of the BSUnion). This was followed by an introductory talk given by Mohammad Harith Syafiq bin Mohammad Halim (Religious Secretary of the BSUnion and President of BruROSA), in which he represented the BSUnion and BruROSA, explaining their roles as unions serving Bruneian students in the United Kingdom & Eire. This was followed by an ice-breaking session, three talks, and a sharing session held within small groups. The first talk was delivered by Muhammad Za’eem bin Abdul Majid (President of Brunei Southampton Society –BruSton) titled “Al-Kalam Ad-Doa” which emphasised the power of believing in oneself in achieving greatness. The second talk was delivered by Nurnafaizzan Syahmi bin Nordin (Vice President, & Equality and Diverstiy Officer of Brunei Students of East Anglia –BruSEA) in which he opened up about the difficulties he faced while studying, and emphasises the simple fact that struggles are what stimulate growth and development – “Complacency is the enemy of progress”. The third talk was given by Muhammad Iqbal bin Emran (General Secretary of the BSUnion) titled “Real Intention with a Sincere Heart”, which explored the importance of living life with honesty and sincerity – be it in one’s studies, or when helping others, highlighting the significance of intention (or ‘niat’/‘nawaitu’). The sharing session which followed, then allowed students to voice out their concerns within small groups and receive reassurance and comfort from more senior facilitators. The event ended with closing remarks by Mohammad Harith Syafiq bin Mohammad Halim.

The event that took place at PTES on the 14th of August 2019 was blessed with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah by Mohammad Harith Syafiq bin Mohammad Halim. Opening remarks introducing BruROSA and the BSUnion were then given by Dk Nurin Nabeelah Pg Hj Abu Bakar (Vice President of Administration and Finance of the BSUnion). This was followed by an ice-breaking session, two talks, and a sharing session in small groups. The talks were by Muhammad Iqbal bin Emran and Nurfaizzan Syahmi bin Nordin, who both delivered similar presentations as those given in MDPMAMB: exploring the importance of sincere intentions, as well as the role of struggles and difficulties in personal growth – “I am a student for life, I am a student of Life.” The sharing session then allowed students to open up to their own groups with regards to concerns surrounding their future endeavours, while facilitators could reassure and comfort them in that respect. The event ended with the recitation of Surah Al-Asr by Abdul Halim Anuar.

The students gave very positive feedback for the events, saying that they found the talks inspiring and relatable, and commenting that the talks filled them with motivation to improve their results and to work harder for the upcoming exams.
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The BSUnion and BruROSA will be carrying out similar programmes in Maktab Sains Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan (19th and 20th August 2019) and Sekolah Menengah Sayyidina Ali (22nd August 2019).