Bandar Seri Begawan - Universiti Brunei Darussalam held an opening ceremony for the 10th Asean Youth Cultural Forum (AYCF) last night, which is an annual activity, organised by the Asean University Network (AUN) which focuses on cultural knowledge sharing and exchange.

AUN member countries host the AYCF on a rotational basis and this year, UBD has the privilege to host the 10th edition.

Present at the ceremony was Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Hazair bin Hj Abdullah, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.

The forum, with this year's theme "Unity through Diversity", will run until October 11.

A total of 14 universities from the eight Southeast Asia nations are taking part in the forum. These universities are members of the AUN.

The main programme aims to educate the AUN youth on various aspects of Brunei culture, both traditional and contemporary, in exciting, innovative and interactive ways. In order to maximise learning, participants were expected to learn a bit about Brunei before they arrived so that prior knowledge could be reinforced.

Prof Nantana Gajaseni, AUN Executive Director, said AYCF is one of AUN core activities, to strengthen mutual understanding friendship and cooperation among Asean youth in order to contribute to the maintenance, preservation and enrichment of the culture of each Asean country.

"They (participants) will learn and share the best and most interesting cultural practices that each has to offer," he said.