Friday, 14th April 2006

NEWS:- Friday, 14th April 2006

Princess Hajah Rashidah presents prizes to winners of 8th PRYNSA Award

Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah, Thursday consented to present prizes to winners of the 8th Princess Rashidah Young Nature Scientist Award or PRYNSA. The ceremony was held at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.

Upon arrival, Her Royal Highness, who is PRYNSA’s Royal Patron, was greeted by the Acting Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Dato Paduka Haji Hamdillah. Also present was Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolqiah.

The Acting Director of Forestry, Awang Haji Shahrill bin Haji Shahbudin, in his capacity as the Chairman of the Organising Committee, in his welcoming address said that by taking part in PRYNSA, participants are exposed to scientific research culture in the early stage. They also learn the skill of working in teams, to be dedicated, committed and develop self confidence, which cannot be learned from books and surely serve them well throughout their continuing education and future professional development. This was followed by the presentation of projects by each of the five finalist schools.

For the 8th PRYNSA, 5 from 23 projects were selected for the final. The finalists carry out their fieldworks during the school’s holidays. The written reports are judged by the appointed panel of judges led by the Forestry Department, having experts both overseas and locally, in various fields of natural sciences.

Her Royal Highness later presented prizes to this year’s winners. In top place, receiving three thousand dollars cash prize and the challenge trophy was the Sayyidina Hassan Secondary School with its project “Invasion Of Exotic Species: The Study On Acacia In Berakas Forest Reserve”. First runner-up was the Sultan Hassan Secondary School Temburong with their project, “An Investigation Into Secondary Forest Succession At Abandoned Quarry Sites”. The team went home with a cash prize of two thousand dollars, while second runner-up, the Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam Secondary School won one thousand dollars cash prize for its project entitled, “Lichen Species As Bio-Indicator Of Air Pollution: Monitoring Of Air Pollution By Means Of Comparing Lichen Cover And Lead Content Tissues In Industrial And Non-Industrial Areas”.

Before departure, Her Royal Highness consented to view projects undertaken by the five PRYNSA’s finalists. The PRYNSA generously partly supported by the Brunei Shell Petroleum Company, was first organized in 1997, with the aim of nurturing excellence among the younger generation, especially in the field of natural science. This prestigious competition is opened to all secondary schools throughout the country.

Pupils of Yayasan Primary School gain knowledge on astronomy

A number of pupils of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Primary School gained knowledge on astronomy last night. They were brought together to experience a ‘sky observatory passion night’ held at the Hall of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Kindergarten. Among those present was His Majesty’s eldest granddaughter, Princess Raheemah Sanaul Bolkiah. Due to rainy weather, the night was limited to only a slide show and presentation on astronomy by officers of the Survey Department.

At the gathering, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin presented certificates to officers of the Survey Department. Princess Raheemah and schoolmates viewed an exhibition on models of astronomy and planets made by students of the school. The function’s aim was to create an interest among the students to take up astronomy as a lesson in their school.

Religious functions to celebrate Prophet’s birthday continue to take place

Religious functions to celebrate the birthday anniversary of Prophet Mohammad SAW continue to take place in the country. The Ministry of Education held such event Thursday. The function was highlighted with a religious talk by the Deputy Dean of the Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Institute of Islamic Studies, UBD, Awang Haji Adanan bin Haji Besar.

Among those present was the Minister of Education, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Rahman. The function was jointly conducted by the Communication and Information Technology Department and the Examination Department.

Officials from Religious Ministry hold meeting with principals of religious schools

A meeting between the Ministry of Religious Affairs and principals of religious schools was held Thursday. Among matters brought up at the meeting include efforts to upgrade the effectiveness of teaching and learning as well as to update the curriculum, religious text books and subjects being taught at religious schools throughout the country.

Present at the gathering was the Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Awang Haji Ishaaq bin Haji Abdullah in his capacity as the representative of the Minister of Religious Affairs. The session was a follow-up to a Seminar on Teaching and Learning at religious schools, which was held last February. Representatives from 40 religious schools from all Brunei Darussalam’s four districts reviewed and discussed His Majesty’s titah inconjunction with New Year of Hijrah 1427.

Three selected religious schools’ principals were then asked to make a resolution from His Majesty’s titah. The meeting also discussed the Minister of Religious Affairs’ welcoming speech during the Teaching and Learning Seminar at religious schools, last February. A resolution was read at the end of the session. The gathering was held at the Principal of Pengiran Anak Puteri Mutawakillah Hayatul Bolkiah Religious School.

Community work programme by NCB fosters public’s confidence towards ‘people under supervision’

Twenty-six people who were under the Supervision Scheme of the Narcotic Control Bureau were released Thursday after they successfully completed the mandatory scheme for a period of between 12 to 14 months. The group including two females aged between 20 and 45 years old and they received their released certificates from the Assistant Tutong District Officer, Awang Haji Haris bin Othman. One of the compulsory requirements for those who were under the Supervision Scheme prior to them being allowed to rejoin the community was to do some community work.

For the 26 people released, they did so by cleaning the house of Dayang Hajah Naimah binti Haji Abdullah who lives in Kampung Penabai, Kuala Tutong. Dayang Hajah Naimah, a single mother with five children, is a patient of the Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital. To date, there are more than one hundred people under the Supervision Scheme. The function was the first of its kind being held in the Tutong District.

Brunei through ACB takes steps to ensure compliance
with requirements of UN Convention against corruption

As one of the signatories of the United Nations Convention against corruption, Brunei Darussalam with the Anti Corruption Bureau, ACB, being the agency responsible in fighting corruption in the country, is tasked with the necessary steps to ensure compliance with requirements of the convention. In this regard, the ACB today organised a dialogue session with government agencies as well as various Chambers of Commerce and business representative in the country.

It is one of a series of dialogues by the bureau to discuss various areas of importance to form a partnership between the public and private sectors to minimise and prevent corruption in the dealings between the sectors. It is also to provide a conducive and competitive business environment as envisaged by the convention. In addition, the participation of both sectors is mandatory in the convention in the fight against corruption as it would not be effective if it is left to the public sector alone. Thursday’s function took place in Gadong.

END OF NEWS

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