Brunei set to host Librarians' congress
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Brunei Darussalam is set to host The Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians (CONSAL) XII Conference to be held here at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas from October 18 to 23.

The CONSAL XII was supposed to be held from May 4 to 8 but was moved forward presumably due to the global outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

A briefing on the event was held last Thursday where a briefing was heard from the CONSAL XII Chairman , the acting Deputy Director of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), Awg Hj Abu Bakar bin Hj Zainal.

In the briefing which was attended by the CONSAL XII committee members, Hj Abu Bakar mentioned that one of the agendas during the event is an announcement of the award 'Anugerah Pustakawan ASEAN' or ASEAN Librarian Award where nominations came from all the ten member economies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Brunei Darussalam, he said will be represented by a nominee who would be announced in September in an event entitled 'Malam Anugerah Pustakawan Brunei' (Brunei Librarian Award Night).

The conference entitled "Information Resources Empowerment: Enhancing Knowledge Heritage" is organised by the DBP Brunei with the co-operation the Brunei Darussalam Library Association and supported by the CONSAL Secretariat, Singapore and Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports, Brunei Darussalam.

Organisers said all librarians, knowledge managers, information and reading specialists, information providers, professionals, academicians, archivists, cultural experts, book vendors, researchers and government officials as well as interested members of the public are invited to attend the conference.

"The conference comprises of high valued workshops and seminars where educators and librarians may find them very useful in enhancing their productivity and work quality," said Siti Zaleha Hj Kaprawi, the DBP Public Relation Officer.

Local participants will be charged B$150 each while foreign participants would need to pay US$150 each.

However, in the briefing some concerned committee members voiced out that the new fee was still high for the locals even though it has been reduced from the early charge of US$150 each.

The fee includes conference kit, all meals, pre-conference workshop, library visits, welcome dinner and conference shuttle to and from the conference venue.

Enquiries on the event can be directed to The Secretariat, CONSAL XII - 2003 Brunei Darussalam, DBP Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan BB3510, Brunei Darussalam or fax to 673 2 381817; 673 2 380472 and 673 2 224763.

Courtesy of Sunday Bulletin