US Space Women In Brunei To Celebrate Freedom Day
By CT Hj Mahmod

Bandar Seri Begawan – US spacewomen came down to Brunei just to celebrate the other day.

That happened when the US Embassy in Brunei celebrated its Independence Day on July 4 with NASA Mission Specialist Lt. Col Catherine G 'Cady' Coleman being present.

The highlight of Monday's night, celebration was the cake-cutting ceremony by the Minister of Education together with US Ambassador, to mark the occasion.

Minister of Education Pehin Dato Hj Awg Abdul Rahman bin Hj Mohammad Taib was welcomed at the Empire Hotel venue by US Ambassador to Brunei Mr Gene Burl Christy. Mr. Christy introduced Ms Coleman, who talked on her space mission experiences.

Her visit marked a milestone in Brunei and US cultural exchange ties, because this is the first time the Sultanate ever received a female astronaut to talk to Brunei's young students to inspire them to study hard to get their dream jobs.

A veteran of two space missions, Cady logged more 500 hours in space. She spoke about her space missions with STS-73 Columbia from Oct 20 to Nov 5, 1995, and STS-93 Columbia from July 22 to 27, 1999.

She showed an image of the exploding stars, or `super nova', quasars and black holes, captured on the Chandra X-Ray Observatory from her STS-93 Columbia space mission.

Also present at the July 4 celebration were government officers from various ministries and departments, and members from the private sector.

Diplomatic ties with the United States were renewed after the Sultanate gained independence in 1984 and have since shared a strong friendship covering all aspects including political, economic and social-culture as well as in the educational field.

In 2002 President Bush and His Majesty the Sultan during His Majesty's state visit to the states in December

2002,' had announced a four-part agenda in Washington, namely counter-terrorism, closer military ties, TIFA and new education exchanges.

Brunei Darussalam and United Sates of America share close military ties. Military exercises are conducted between both the countries, and are now moving towards a more 'multi-lateral' form of exercise.

On the economic side, both countries are actively engaged in the trade investment framework agreement, (TIFA). US trade representatives met with Brunei's TIFA governmental stakeholders in early January 2005.

The new education exchanges are gaining momentum with Brunei's first Fulbright scholar, Pengiran Dr Haji Hishamuddin, studying at Master of Public Health Programme in Epidemiology in Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia

Recently, cadet officer, Nazirul Rusydi, became the first Bruneian to win acceptance to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.

 -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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