BRUNEI STUDENTS’ UNION OUTREACH TOUR: SEKOLAH MENENGAH SAYYIDINA ALI

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, THURSDAY 22nd August 2019 – The Brunei Students Union (BSUnion) collaborated with the Brunei Religious Officers Student Association (BruROSA) to hold an outreach programme at Sekolah Menengah Sayyidina Ali (SMSA) on the 22nd of August 2019, themed “Author of Your Future: Creating Your Own Storyline”. There were a total of 141 upper-six students who participated in the event, which was led and facilitated by members of the BSUnion, BruROSA, and other Bruneians studying in the United Kingdom and Eire. Teachers were also in attendance, with more emphasis on the presence of teachers in the careers section.

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

The event was blessed with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah by Abdul Halim Anuar (BruROSA Member), and proceeded with an opening remark from Mohammad Harith Syafiq bin Mohammad Halim (Religious Secretary of the BSUnion and President of BruROSA) introducing the BSUnion and BruROSA and explaining their roles as unions supporting Bruneian students in the United Kingdom and Eire. The day continued with an ice-breaking game, three talks, and a sharing session within small groups. The first talk was delivered by Siu Tzyy Wei (Toastmasters Club, Universiti Brunei Darussalam) titled “Still Surviving” which explored the importance of perseverance, drawing on her experience with overcoming cancer in her youth – “You have a choice to live your life your way”. The second talk was delivered by Aiman Haji Roslan (President of Brunei Sheffield Society ), discussing general student tips and recalling his time as a secondary school student in SMSA himself and reminding everybody that “it will all be worth it in the end”. The final talk was given by Ahmad Syauqie bin Hj Satia (Human Resources Officer of the Society for Community Outreach & Training, Universiti Brunei Darussalam) titled “Looking Through a Different Pair of Eyes” who spoke on the importance of actively seeking knowledge and opportunities in life. The event then proceeded with sharing sessions within small groups, where students could voice their concerns and questions, and senior facilitators could address and comfort them in that regard.

The feedback received was very positive, with students saying that it encouraged them to take ownership and responsibility of their future, and helped them think about such matters in the long-run. Students also commented that it helped them feel less worried about life after ‘A’ levels. Teachers present also found the programme quite valuable for students and felt that it will motivate students to do better for their upcoming exams.