Fullbright Scholar To Leave For Masters At US University
By Azrol Azmi

Bandar Seri Begawan - An excited young woman will be leaving Brunei this week to further her studies in the US under the prestigious Fulbright scholarship. She is also going to be its first female and third local recipient.

Ms Vivi Jafiana Dato Paduka Hj Jaafar will take her Masters in Computer Engineering at the Purdue University in Indiana. Since completing her degree in 2001 from the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff she has been working as an Education Officer with the Ministry of Education.

According to the US Embassy's Public Affairs Office, the Fulbright programme was reactivated to fulfil a point of agreement between His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and President Bush during their December 2002 meeting at the White House.

The programme's ideals providing opportunities to study and teach in each other's countries, exchange ideas and develop joint solutions to address shared concerns - are particularly fitting as Brunei and the US celebrate the 22"° Anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

Ambassador Emil Skodan commented that it marks another milestone in their efforts to help local students take advantage of the wide-ranging opportunities for topclass university education in the US.

They also hope that many more Bruneians will follow the example set by the Fulbright scholars, and consider the courses as well as experiences that are available across the USA.

The American Embassy is prepared to provide prospective students the information they need to get started on what could be the educational journey of a lifetime, they added.

Vivi Jafiana was selected for the Fulbright award from a highly competitive pool of applicants. She is thankful to have the honour to represent her country as a scholar.

She is also extremely proud to gain entrance into Purdue University, which is ranked the 6tt best engineering graduate school in the US.

During a courtesy call on the US Ambassador, Vivi remarked, "I would like to thank the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for giving me this wonderful opportunity and also to the Government of His Majesty, the Ministry of Education for their support and encouragement.

"I hope that I will be able to contribute fresh, innovative ideas in the field of computer engineering for the future development of technology in Brunei."

The Fulbright scholarship is a programme of academic exchange for the promotion of global understanding. The awards are offered to Bruneian citizens and permanent residents for them to pursue a degree in the US. Former recipients include Dr Pg Hishamuddin and Mohammad Yusra Salleh.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News

Brunei's Fastest Growing Website with