Bandar Seri Begawan - After an intense selection process which included interviews, six students will participate in a newly-introduced three-week Asean Youth Leadership programme in Chicago and Washington DC, sponsored by the US State Department.

The US Embassy in Brunei said that the programme is designed to promote high-quality leadership, civic responsibility, volunteerism, and respect for diversity among future leaders, including living with host families and spending time in different communities, learning about the US and teaching about Brunei.

The US Embassy in Brunei, working in close coordination with Brunei's Ministry of Education, selected six students from Brunei and two teachers to be part of this innovative programme. The ASEAN Youth Leadership Programme was designed by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the US Department of State.

Joining them in the inaugural programme in Washington DC and Chicago are participants from four Asean nations: Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Cambodia. The host institution and organiser is Northern Illinois University located in De Kalb, Illonois.

Syarifah Syazwana Wan Ali, Fatin Amalina Syahirah Haji Salleh, Hidayatul Nabilah Haji Mohd Jeff fariz, Mohamed Fahamin Haji Feisal, Ak Mohamed Safwan Haji Feisal, Ak Muhammad Safwan Hj Idris and Muhamad Firdaus Adanan Haji Badaruddin are scheduled to depart Brunei on Friday, (November 20) and return on December 15, 2009.
At a farewell ceremony attended by Acting Director of School, Awg Ibrahim bin Hj Abd Rahman, and US Embassy's Charge d'Affaires, John McIntyre, the students thanked the organisers and held a performance.

Awg Ibrahim bin Hj Abd Rahman said he hoped the programme can become a 'gateway' for students to forge connection and understanding between Americans and Bruneians to promote a sense of responsibility and commitment to community, enhance their leadership capabilities and bridge the gap with the people of other backgrounds in race, culture and religion.

Ak Md Safwan Pg Hj Idris, representing the students, said they had undergone preparatory activities, including cultural dance performance training, studying their working papers and learning the proper way for a mass prayer while in the US.

They thanked the teachers who will be accompanying them to US: Hazimin Hj Hasib and Dk Khojatoleslam Pg Hj Kamaluddin for their pre-departure guidance and advice. They also thanked the International Unit, Department of Schools for their due attention and care, as well as the US Government for the opportunity to learnt and gain experience in the US.

US Embassy, Charge D Affaires,John McIntyre noted, "On behalf of US Ambassador to Brunei, William Todd, we are so pleased and proud of Brunei's participation in the inaugural ASEAN Youth Leadership Programme.

The students, their parents and teachers, the Ministry of Education and all of Brunei should take tremendous pride in their student representatives to this programme. It is a chance to both learn more about the United States as well as educating America youths on Brunei". -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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