Brunei-S'pore youth camp
Opening dance: Bruneian students performing a dance during the opening ceremony of Brunei-Singapore Adventure Camp 2008 at Wasan Vocational School, Limau Manis. Picture: BT/Saifulizam
Monday, December 1, 2008
TWENTY youths from Singapore are taking part in an adventure camp here in Brunei as part of the Ministry of Education's drive to raise the younger generation's awareness and appreciation for culture, traditions and the natural environment.
The students, accompanied by 20 local students from schools throughout the country, will hopefully be able to take the camp as an excellent way to develop new skills and appreciation along with making friends and cooperation with other countries, said the Permanent Secretary (core education) of the Ministry of Education Datin Paduka Apsah Hj Abdul Majid.
Datin Paduka Apsah noted that through the week long outdoor experience, the students from both countries can nurture their full potential for becoming future leaders as the unique exposure will enable them to inculcate a collective responsibility in caring for the environment as well as give them the opportunity to build their characters.
Quoting the camp theme "This is Where the Friendship Blooms" the permanent secretary said she is hoping that the meeting will be able to show the participants that people everywhere have similar dreams and fears even where traditions and customs may vary.
She also said that the experience, based on last year's camp which was first introduced to the two countries and hosted by Singapore, the participants will be able to cultivate a new sense of confidence and community as they put to test new found skills and encourage their peers to meet the same challenges that they will have to go through.
The Brunei-Singapore Adventure Camp 2008, which is hosted by the Brunei Ministry of Education at the Wasan Vocational School this year, will run for seven days until December 7.
Participants are scheduled to go through a series of activities designed to introduce and familiarise themselves with the Brunei tradition, economy, culture and people, similar to the camp that was held in Singapore last year which showed Brunei students the Singapore way of life.
Among the activities planned out for the week by the organisers include a trip to the Wasan Paddy Fields, Tasek Merimbun Recreational Park, an Ambulong Factory and a trip to Temburong where they will witness the processing of a local malay dessert namely wajid.
Bruneian Students camp coordinator Cikgu Norsuzilawati Ahmad said that the experience gained by last year's students showed positive results as they seemed more confident and outgoing compared to before when they started especially in meeting new people.
Singaporean camp coordinator from the Singapore Ministry of Education, Kuang Yoke Wei, agreed to her comments saying that the Bruneian students in last year's event started out slow but in the end were much more open, enthusiastic and even more interested much like their Singaporean counterparts.
The Brunei Times
The students, accompanied by 20 local students from schools throughout the country, will hopefully be able to take the camp as an excellent way to develop new skills and appreciation along with making friends and cooperation with other countries, said the Permanent Secretary (core education) of the Ministry of Education Datin Paduka Apsah Hj Abdul Majid.
Datin Paduka Apsah noted that through the week long outdoor experience, the students from both countries can nurture their full potential for becoming future leaders as the unique exposure will enable them to inculcate a collective responsibility in caring for the environment as well as give them the opportunity to build their characters.
Quoting the camp theme "This is Where the Friendship Blooms" the permanent secretary said she is hoping that the meeting will be able to show the participants that people everywhere have similar dreams and fears even where traditions and customs may vary.
She also said that the experience, based on last year's camp which was first introduced to the two countries and hosted by Singapore, the participants will be able to cultivate a new sense of confidence and community as they put to test new found skills and encourage their peers to meet the same challenges that they will have to go through.
The Brunei-Singapore Adventure Camp 2008, which is hosted by the Brunei Ministry of Education at the Wasan Vocational School this year, will run for seven days until December 7.
Participants are scheduled to go through a series of activities designed to introduce and familiarise themselves with the Brunei tradition, economy, culture and people, similar to the camp that was held in Singapore last year which showed Brunei students the Singapore way of life.
Among the activities planned out for the week by the organisers include a trip to the Wasan Paddy Fields, Tasek Merimbun Recreational Park, an Ambulong Factory and a trip to Temburong where they will witness the processing of a local malay dessert namely wajid.
Bruneian Students camp coordinator Cikgu Norsuzilawati Ahmad said that the experience gained by last year's students showed positive results as they seemed more confident and outgoing compared to before when they started especially in meeting new people.
Singaporean camp coordinator from the Singapore Ministry of Education, Kuang Yoke Wei, agreed to her comments saying that the Bruneian students in last year's event started out slow but in the end were much more open, enthusiastic and even more interested much like their Singaporean counterparts.
The Brunei Times
Singapore students tour Tutong attractions
Thursday, December 4, 2008
TWENTY Singaporean youth participants of the Brunei-Singapore Adventure Camp 2008 visited several attractions in Tutong yesterday as part of the Ministry of Education's drive to raise the younger generation's awareness and appreciation for culture, traditions and the natural environment.
During the visit, the youths, accompanied by volunteers from the Ministry of Education, made their way to the Tasek Merimbun Museum and conducted a short jungle trek. This was later followed by a short visit to Tasek Merimbun where they learned some of the history of Tasek Merimbun and observed a demonstration of the traditional music played by the locals.
Before concluding their visit, the youths went to the Ukong Ambulong processing facilities where they witnessed the process of making ambuyat, a local delicacy in Brunei.
After the trip, the participants began rehearsing for the closing ceremony, which will be held on December 7 at the Rizqun International Hotel. The one-week Brunei-Singapore Adventure Camp 2008 is hosted by Brunei's Ministry of Education at the Wasan Vocational School this year. (SHS1)
The Brunei Times
During the visit, the youths, accompanied by volunteers from the Ministry of Education, made their way to the Tasek Merimbun Museum and conducted a short jungle trek. This was later followed by a short visit to Tasek Merimbun where they learned some of the history of Tasek Merimbun and observed a demonstration of the traditional music played by the locals.
Before concluding their visit, the youths went to the Ukong Ambulong processing facilities where they witnessed the process of making ambuyat, a local delicacy in Brunei.
After the trip, the participants began rehearsing for the closing ceremony, which will be held on December 7 at the Rizqun International Hotel. The one-week Brunei-Singapore Adventure Camp 2008 is hosted by Brunei's Ministry of Education at the Wasan Vocational School this year. (SHS1)
The Brunei Times
Ulu-ulu jungle fever grips campers
Friday, December 5, 2008
FORTY youth participants to the Brunei-Singapore Adventure Camp 2008 yesterday went on an adventure to explore the pristine rainforest of the Ulu-ulu National Park Resort.
Kamil Abdul Hamid, director of the resort's business development, said the Ulu-ulu National Park Resort offers visitors authentic jungle adventure while enjoying the resort's facilities.
He told youth participants that Ulu-ulu, which means remote, contains one of the richest biodiversity in the world.
Twenty Bruneian students and 20 Singaporean students took part in the two days, one night activity organised by the resort.
Nurashikin, 15, a student from Singapore's Admiralty Secondary School, said although this is her first time in Brunei, she had been wondering about the beauty of the sultanate's tropical rainforest since it was mentioned in class.
Indeed, the trip to Ulu-ulu was an adventure for the students and the teachers with them.
Before proceeding to Ulu-ulu, the students marvelled at the fast-flowing Batang Duri river. The atmosphere became more lively as they took the Temuai boat to the Ulu-ulu Resort.
During the 25-minute boat ride, the students had the chance to see colourful butterflies and birds.
Proud to be in the programme, a geography teacher from Kiulap Secondary School, Fairul Azmi Hj Sulaiman, said he expects the experience to make him a better teacher. It is much better to go out and explore the environment rather than reading and listening about the subject, he said.
For the nature walk, safety was a priority for everyone. The students were briefed by personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department and a nature guide from the resort.
Hainah Hamzah, the resort's sales and reservation officer, said the resort made sure each group of students had a walkie-talkie as a safety precaution.
The students, who were separated into two groups, set off on the nature walk to discover the delicate ecology of the flora and fauna of the rainforest.
It took them approximately two hours to reach Ulu-ulu's canopy walk. Even though the journey was a bit tiring, the students were thrilled over the experience and the novelty of seeing flora and fauna they had only seen on television.
A Bruneian student, Adi Busyrah, 15, said that the trek was more tiring than climbing the Shahbandar hill, but that it was more fun to do the nature walk, especially when they could see the canopy walk.
When they finally reached the steps going to the canopy walk, the participants were more than eager to climb up the 50-metre tall and 100-metre long canopy walk.
After enjoying the view from the top, the students went on to cooler pursuits as they went canoeing along the river. They also enjoyed a refreshing swim.
They were then served lunch by the resort's restaurant, Two River Terrace Cafe.
The last leg of the trip was a stop at the Kg Amo B longhouse. The participants were welcomed by the head village officer and briefed on the life of the Iban. The students were entertained with Nangat Lelaki and Nangat Perempuan, the Iban's traditional dance. The students were also invited to try the dances with them.
On the way back to Batang Duri, The Brunei Times had an opportunity to interview a tourist couple who was on vacation in Batang Duri.
Alwyn and Margherita Finney from the United Kingdom said they decided to go to Brunei because of its rainforest. The couple expressed their desire to bring their grandchildren to Brunei.
The Brunei Times
Kamil Abdul Hamid, director of the resort's business development, said the Ulu-ulu National Park Resort offers visitors authentic jungle adventure while enjoying the resort's facilities.
He told youth participants that Ulu-ulu, which means remote, contains one of the richest biodiversity in the world.
Twenty Bruneian students and 20 Singaporean students took part in the two days, one night activity organised by the resort.
Nurashikin, 15, a student from Singapore's Admiralty Secondary School, said although this is her first time in Brunei, she had been wondering about the beauty of the sultanate's tropical rainforest since it was mentioned in class.
Indeed, the trip to Ulu-ulu was an adventure for the students and the teachers with them.
Before proceeding to Ulu-ulu, the students marvelled at the fast-flowing Batang Duri river. The atmosphere became more lively as they took the Temuai boat to the Ulu-ulu Resort.
During the 25-minute boat ride, the students had the chance to see colourful butterflies and birds.
Proud to be in the programme, a geography teacher from Kiulap Secondary School, Fairul Azmi Hj Sulaiman, said he expects the experience to make him a better teacher. It is much better to go out and explore the environment rather than reading and listening about the subject, he said.
For the nature walk, safety was a priority for everyone. The students were briefed by personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department and a nature guide from the resort.
Hainah Hamzah, the resort's sales and reservation officer, said the resort made sure each group of students had a walkie-talkie as a safety precaution.
The students, who were separated into two groups, set off on the nature walk to discover the delicate ecology of the flora and fauna of the rainforest.
It took them approximately two hours to reach Ulu-ulu's canopy walk. Even though the journey was a bit tiring, the students were thrilled over the experience and the novelty of seeing flora and fauna they had only seen on television.
A Bruneian student, Adi Busyrah, 15, said that the trek was more tiring than climbing the Shahbandar hill, but that it was more fun to do the nature walk, especially when they could see the canopy walk.
When they finally reached the steps going to the canopy walk, the participants were more than eager to climb up the 50-metre tall and 100-metre long canopy walk.
After enjoying the view from the top, the students went on to cooler pursuits as they went canoeing along the river. They also enjoyed a refreshing swim.
They were then served lunch by the resort's restaurant, Two River Terrace Cafe.
The last leg of the trip was a stop at the Kg Amo B longhouse. The participants were welcomed by the head village officer and briefed on the life of the Iban. The students were entertained with Nangat Lelaki and Nangat Perempuan, the Iban's traditional dance. The students were also invited to try the dances with them.
On the way back to Batang Duri, The Brunei Times had an opportunity to interview a tourist couple who was on vacation in Batang Duri.
Alwyn and Margherita Finney from the United Kingdom said they decided to go to Brunei because of its rainforest. The couple expressed their desire to bring their grandchildren to Brunei.
The Brunei Times
Friendship blooms in adventure camp
Farewell show: Students perform at the closing ceremony of the Brunei-Singapore Adventure Camp yesterday. Picture: BT/ Jefrisalas
Saturday, December 6, 2008
THANKS to the Brunei-Singapore Adventure Camp 2008, a friendship blossomed among the participants despite differences in religion and race even as the adventure ended yesterday.
The ceremony began with the recital of Surah Al-Fatihah and the Doa Selamat. This was followed by two representatives' speeches from both countries, where they shared their experiences.
Madleyn Ling Mohd Tony Ling, a representative from Brunei, said that the camp helped them forge friendship with other participants with different religion and racial background. But at the end of the camp, she said, they are just like one big family.
A representative from Singapore, Pang Cai Feng, expressed her appreciation to the courtesy provided by the locals. She said that the unique experiences in culture, as well as in exploring nature, will forever be etched in their hearts.
Present at the ceremony was Hjh Aishah Hj Muhd Husain, Director of Schools, Ministry of Education.
The Brunei-Singapore Adventure Camp 2008, which brings the theme "This is Where the Friendship Blooms", gathered 20 youths and five teachers from Singapore and 20 local students from schools throughout the country.
Among the activities held include a trip to the Wasan Paddy Fields, Tasek Merimbun Recreational Park, an Ambulong Factory and a trip to Temburong.
The closing ceremony also included four performances by Brunei and Singapore participants, namely, Sang Nila Utama, Jong Batu, Singapore di langgar Todak di Bukit Merah and Sultan Bolkiah, a slide show presentation of the camp's activities and the presentation of certificates to the participants. The event concluded with a closing song entitled "Together (Till We Meet Again)" performed by all the participants.
The camp was hosted by the Brunei Ministry of Education at the Wasan Vocational School.
The Brunei Times
The ceremony began with the recital of Surah Al-Fatihah and the Doa Selamat. This was followed by two representatives' speeches from both countries, where they shared their experiences.
Madleyn Ling Mohd Tony Ling, a representative from Brunei, said that the camp helped them forge friendship with other participants with different religion and racial background. But at the end of the camp, she said, they are just like one big family.
A representative from Singapore, Pang Cai Feng, expressed her appreciation to the courtesy provided by the locals. She said that the unique experiences in culture, as well as in exploring nature, will forever be etched in their hearts.
Present at the ceremony was Hjh Aishah Hj Muhd Husain, Director of Schools, Ministry of Education.
The Brunei-Singapore Adventure Camp 2008, which brings the theme "This is Where the Friendship Blooms", gathered 20 youths and five teachers from Singapore and 20 local students from schools throughout the country.
Among the activities held include a trip to the Wasan Paddy Fields, Tasek Merimbun Recreational Park, an Ambulong Factory and a trip to Temburong.
The closing ceremony also included four performances by Brunei and Singapore participants, namely, Sang Nila Utama, Jong Batu, Singapore di langgar Todak di Bukit Merah and Sultan Bolkiah, a slide show presentation of the camp's activities and the presentation of certificates to the participants. The event concluded with a closing song entitled "Together (Till We Meet Again)" performed by all the participants.
The camp was hosted by the Brunei Ministry of Education at the Wasan Vocational School.
The Brunei Times
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