Bandar Seri Begawan - Blue, red and green stripes adorned the black robes of 1,241 fresh graduates at the 21st Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) Convocation at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas yesterday.

Compared to last year, UBD saw a significant increase of more than 200 graduates in total, with the number of certificate and diploma holders rising to 431, compared with 306 last year, And the number of master's and bachelor's degree graduates rising to 810, up from 710 last year. His Majesty the Sultan and Yang DiPertuan of Brunei Darussalam was present to deliver a titah as well as hand out scrolls to the new graduates.

In his titah, His Majesty said he was proud to see an increase in the number of graduates and encouraged them to continue their studies.

UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hj Zulkarnain Hj Hanafi echoed His Majesty's sentiments and also urged graduates to continue their studies and obtain higher

levels of academic achievement Meanwhile, camera flashes illuminated the Plenary Hall as proud parents and other members of family captured for posterity the moment their sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, husbands and wives walked across the stage to receive from their beloved king their graduate scrolls. Leha Hj Rais, a housewife whose daughter Farandizza Abu Kassim graduated with a bachelor's degree in education, said that this was the first time she had attended UBD convocation and said she was very proud of her daughter's achievement.

It was also a first for Ahmad Raya, 48, whose son Md Jamirul Aswandy graduated with a degree in education. "He is the first son in the family to get a degree and I would like to fully express my thanks to His Majesty for handing the scroll to my son," he said proudly.

Pensioner Hjh Maimun Gapar said she was happy her daughter Floreda Hj Ahmad finally graduated. "Of course I'm happy she's finished her studies! She is the first and only one in the family to get a degree," she said.

She added that her daughter is currently working as a religious teacher at a local government school.

Pg Bahar Pg Omar, 51, the proud father of Ak Mohd Adil Azim, who graduated with a bachelor's in Economics said he was so nervous waiting for his results, but glad that he succeeded. "When I saw my son receives his scroll, I was bursting with pride." he said.

It was a double celebration for Dk Maslini Pg Ladun, a bank employee, as she watched her sister Dk Masnani receives her Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education (Malay Medium) as well as her brother Pg Shahrom receives his Certificate in Creative Writing (Malay Medium).

"I am grateful to Allah SWT for my sibling's success and I would also like to congratulate other graduates who have succeeded in getting their degree," she said. 'Everything went smoothly, Alhamdulillah, I am thankful to His Aajesty in attending the ceremony and I also hope in time to come Brunei will produce more graduates of high calibre," she added.-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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