Pre-University Students Begin Orientation Week
By Shafiyi Azahari

Bandar Seri Begawan - A batch of 187 newly registered pre-university students of the Hassanal Bolkiah Arabic Secondary Boys' School began their five-day taaruf or orientation week yesterday, an activity to introduce and familiarise the students to the life and studying environment at the school.

The students, out of whom 95 are girls, will undertake two-year studies leading to a Higher Religious Education Certificate and 'A' Level General Cambridge Examinations.

The school's acting principal, Ustazah Asmah Randah, in welcoming the new students said that beginning this year the students will have more scholarships to choose from for further studies abroad.

Apart from the scholarship offered by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, they can also apply for the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation's Scholarship and two scholarships from the Ministry of Defence - the Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Scholarship and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Scholarship.

`And with the existence of another two higher learning institutions in Brunei Darussalam namely the Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali and the Seri Begawan Religious Teachers' University College, students will have broad opportunities to continue their higher studies here," the principal said. "It is hoped that students will grab these opportunities and gain benefits from it for their own good and the good of their family, society and the country, added Ustazah Asmah.

A parent who accompanied his daughter at the function expressed his gratitude for his daughter's admission to the school.

Ariffin Taha, 58, expressed hope that his daughter and the other students will make 2fforts to achieve excellence in their academic pursuits.

The former personnel of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces commenting on the establishment of the new Islamic university and the religious teachers university college said that this was a "great opportunity" for students who are taking Islamic and Arabic studies and they should endeavour to meet the challenges mentioned by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang DiPertuan of Brunei Darussalam in a titah.

Abdul Wafi Ibrahim, one of the new students, said that he was happy to be accepted at the school. He said he would work harder in his studies and hoped to gain entry to the Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali.

A Mathematics teacher at the school, who has been in the country sire 1987, described the formati n of an Islamic university ash very positive and an excellent idea.

"It (the university) will preserve the good tradition of Bruneians being a religious society and this is important especially in this era which has crucial impact on our younger generation," said Abbas Khan.

The orientation week will end on Monday with a forum on New Hijrah Year 1428. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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