UBD graduate wins Japanese scholarship
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Abdul Hai has won the Japanese Government Scholarship to do a master course at the International University of Japan.

A young graduate from Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) has won the Japanese Government or Monbukagakusho scholarship to pursue his masters in international relations programme for the year 2004 to 2006 at a Japanese university.

Abdul Hai bin Haji Julay is set to depart for Japan today. He will first undergo a Japanese Language training course for four months at Niigata University before pursuing the masters degree from September 2004 at the International University of Japan (IUJ).

At IUJ, he will be a full-time student at the Graduate School of International Relations. He will be residing in the student dormitory.

Abdul Hai obtained his first degree in Brunei Studies at UBD last year where he obtained a second class upper grading.

Dr Hj Jaludin bin Hj Chuchu, the deputy director of the Academy of Brunei Studies, said the academy was proud of Abdul Hai's achievement in winning the scholarship.

"Abdul Hai is the second UBD graduate to win the Japanese scholarship," he said.

"The first graduate that obtained it was five years ago," he added.

Abdul Hai said he was looking forward to the course and hoped to graduate with flying colours in two years time.

Prior to joining UBD, Abdul Hai went to Sekolah Menengah Awang Semaun for his secondary level education and Maktab Duli Pg Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah for his sixth form education.

Abdul Hai hails from Kg Lupak Luas and he is the eleventh child of 17 siblings. He hoped that he could graduate with flying colours but the Japanese language could be a stumbling block for him.

"I have started learning the Japanese language weeks ago and for the next four months I will face a gruelling time to become an expert in Japanese language.

"I have to do it if I want to graduate with flying colours," he said.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin