His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddien Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang DiPertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to receive in audience the Malaysian Minister of Education. His Majesty received in audience the Honourable Dato Sri Hishammudin Tun Hussein at Istana Nurul Iman Monday.

The Malaysian Education Minister is in the country for a three-day visit. The visit aims to strengthen the existing bilateral relationship in the fields of education and also to view the Brunei Darussalam educational system, especially on the Brunei Integrated System of education and the Brunei Bilingual System of education.

Also present at the audience was the Acting Malaysian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency Saiful Azam Abdullah; the Minister of Education, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Aziz; the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Dato Paduka Haji Sheikh Adnan and the Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Hamid.

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddien Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam made an unscheduled visit to two higher learning institutions and a primary school near the capital Monday. His Majesty's visit to the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College, the Raja Isteri Girls' High School or STPRI, and the Raja Isteri Fatimah Primary School truly demonstrates the Monarch's care for education as one of the top priorities of His Majesty's government.

His Majesty the Sultan and the Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam arrived at the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College in Bandar Seri Begawan at about nine in the morning. His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam wished to see for himself not only the running of the functions and administration of the school but also the educational system of the school. One of the interesting aspects of His Majesty's surprise visit at the SOAS College was when His Majesty consented to witness the Orientation for new lower six students.

The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College was upgraded from a government English school to a college in 1955. His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam studied at the college in 1964. During this visit, His Majesty toured the college complex. His Majesty also showed his concern on the suitability of text books being used by the students. At a mathematics class, His Majesty was informed that the content of the book was in conformity with the current syllabus. During the tour, His Majesty not only showed keen interest in the students' achievement and the development in their studies, but was also concerned about the safety of the school and its surrounding.

His Majesty continued his walk-about and stopped at the pre-vocational class. The class is specially set up for those students who are unable to excel academically but are praiseworthy in handicraft. The SOAS College’s field also came under His Majesty's scrutiny with particular attention on the condition of the grandstand. After spending about two hours at His Majesty's former college, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam then made his way to the Raja Isteri Girls' High School, STPRI.

During the visit, nothing has escaped from the Monarch's scrutiny. For instance, His Majesty commented on the condition in the classroom, and expressed his concern on the comfort of the students and teachers. His Majesty also showed his concern on the quality of religious text books being used by the students. Before the more than one hour tour of the STPRI ended, His Majesty's

The Raja Isteri Fatimah Primary School which is just less than a hundred metres from the S-M-J-A sports field, also came under His Majesty's surprise visit. The Raja Isteri Fatimah Primary school is one of the schools selected in the pioneer scheme for the Intergrated Education System. The school is one of the oldest primary schools in the country. His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam ended the surprise visit at around twelve fifteen in the afternoon. One of the key elements of the unscheduled visit is to enable His Majesty to see for himself the real situation on the ground. With the media like RTB being invited to cover it, His Majesty wanted this to be known among the citizens and residents of the salient message behind this activity.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince, and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Salleh Ab Rahaman have consented to receive in audience the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines and his wife. The ceremony took place Monday at Istana Nurul Iman.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri received the Honourable Alberto G.Romula and wife, Mrs. Rosie Lovely T. Romula. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs and delegation are in Brunei for a three-day official visit. Also present at this function were the Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, Pehin Dato Awang Haji Yahya, and the Philippines Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Her Excellency Virginia H. Benavidez.

His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah hosted a dinner for the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Philippines, the Honourable Alberto G. Romulo and Mrs. Rosie Lovely T. Romulo, as well as the Minister of Education of Malaysia, The Honourable Dato Hishamuddin Tun Hussein and Tengku Datin Marsilla Tengku Abdullah.

The function took place at the Balai Penghadapan, Bukit Kayangan Monday night. Also present at the dinner was Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador At Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accompanied by yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz.

His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Academic Cooperation in Higher Education with the Republic of the Philippines. His Royal Highness and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, the Honourable Alberto G.Romula, signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Academic Cooperation in Higher Education between the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the Philippines Government.

The occasion took place Monday at the Balai Penghadapan Bukit Kayangan. The Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries will promote cooperation in higher education and professional training at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The 1st National Shooting Championship 2005 has started at Jerudong Shooting Range. The official opening ceremony was held Monday and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, the President of the Brunei National Olympic Council, was present to give moral support to the participants.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Dato Doctor Haji Awang Hussein in his opening address said by organising this shooting championship, shooters could improve their performance towards achieving victory in the forthcoming SEA Games later this year in Manila.

His Royal Highness showed his spirit of sportsmanship by taking part in the men's 75 clays event. The championship is divided into trap and skeet 75 clays for both men and women, the men's trap 50 clays, women's double trap 120 clays, 150 clays of the men's double trap, men and women's skeet 75 clays and men's skeet 50 clays.

Today's event included the women's trap 75 clays. The five-day championship is one of the sports development projects in the country and is one of the continuous planning of the Youth and Sports Department towards developing sports, especially shooting.

For the first time Brunei Darussalam will have the chance to view beautiful collection of both vintage and modern Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars from all over the world brought by the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club as part of their "Experience Borneo Tour 2005". Monday night, the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources hosted a dinner reception for the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club in Jerudong. The Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Dato Awang Haji Abdul Rahman said that with the car's historical success and its close relationship with the privileged as well as owners who had historical landmarks all over the world is enough to conjour awe in those who know and admiration in those who see and touch.

A total of 68 Rolls-Royce and Bentley models with 162 international participants took part in this tour, ranging from the oldest - a 1912 "Silver Ghost" model - to the 2005 "Goodwood Phantom”, as well as the most expensive car - the 1931 "Bentley 8 Litre" - valued at half a million Pound Sterling. Also, 16 of the cars are Pre-World War Two models including five cars which were produced from the year 2000 and above.

Brunei Darussalam is the second leg of the journey after Sarawak, before ending in Sabah. The motor cars will be displayed for public viewing this Thursday 10th March at the Empire Hotel and Country Club in Jerudong from eleven in the morning until six in the evening.