Canadian High Comm Donates Books To UBD
By Ben Ng

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Canadian High Commission yesterday donated several French books to Universiti Brunei Darussalam's Language Centre as an invitation to increase inter-cultural exchanges, and to mark the 400th anniversary of Quebec City.

"Today, in donating these books in French to UBD, I am particularly proud to mark not only Canada's cultural background, but also one important event that will be celebrated in Canada this year. The 400th anniversary of Quebec City, which will be celebrated throughout 2008, reminds us that French is the founding language of Canada," Leopold Battel, the Canadian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, said yesterday.

Quebec City, he said, was to be the first permanent human settlement in North America and the starting point of Canada's history, and it was there, that the Aboriginal population encountered the first Europeans, beginning inter-cultural exchanges that would forge the Canadian identity.

For eight months, the city will be adorned with celebratory colours and will be the scene of a number of activities of national and international interest, said a High Commission spokesperson.

Receiving the books on behalf of UBD's Language Centre, Vice Chancellor Dato Paduka Dr Hi Ismail Hj Duraman said the donation would "greatly enhance the Centre's capacity in teaching French language, not only to fulltime students, but also to members of the public who have enrolled in French language evening classes.

"The centre offers core and elective in various foreign languages, including French. However, limited resources have prevented it from employing more than one French instructor at any given time.

"Nevertheless, over the past five years, the French language has consistently proven to be one of the most popular foreign languages among the undergraduates.

"Your donation of teaching, learning and reference materials will greatly benefit our students, who are the real beneficiaries of this donation. Your generous gesture is a testimony to the close cooperation between the university and the Canadian High Commission in the areas of education and culture," said the Vice Chancellor. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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