The Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) Advocating Life-Long Learning for an Aspiring Future (ALAF) programme continues to be a life-changing initiative for students across the Sultanate, supporting their academic journeys and enabling them to pursue higher education and meaningful careers.
As the bank celebrates Teacher’s Day, BIBD shines a spotlight on several ALAF scholars and alumni who shared how the programme, along with the guidance of their teachers, has shaped their futures.
Michelle Wong Su Heng, a 2024 graduate of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) with a Bachelor of Arts in English Studies, is now working as an English teacher at Chung Ching Middle School.
“I’ve been a part of the programme for almost 10 years now and it has never failed to aid me financially in my educational journey. My pursuit of higher education would have taken longer without these financial aids, as I would have spent a few years after my ‘A’ levels working to earn enough money to have the funds for it. Without the programme’s support, I probably wouldn’t have discovered my desire to teach as well. That is why, if I had to describe the programme and the effect it has on my life in one word, it would be: life-changing.”
In conjunction with Teacher’s Day, Michelle said, “I would like to thank all the teachers who have taught me when I was in Muhammad Alam Primary School, Anthony Abell College, Sayyidina Ali Secondary School, and UBD.”
On being part of the ALAF family, she said, “To be part of the ALAF family means knowing and believing that there will be people and organisations (both government and private) kind enough to provide support to students across the country who need it.
“I hope the current ALAF students will always remember to show gratitude to the individuals who have extended a helping hand. I hope they will continue to excel in their studies and make BIBD ALAF proud!”
Nur Hafikah binti Haji Bakri, who graduated from Al-Azhar University, Cairo, in 2022 with a degree in Syariah Islamiah, is another inspiring alumna of the ALAF programme. She is currently a Syariah Research Officer in BIBD’s Syariah Division and reflected on her journey: “Ever since I joined ALAF, it helped me with my studies until my degree. It has taught me a lot of things through programmes and workshops to develop new skills. I didn’t have to worry about my school necessities because ALAF provided everything I needed.”
Other recent graduates of the ALAF programme include Hong Hui Qin, who graduated from Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) in 2023 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and is now employed in the oil and gas sector, and Hazmi bin Haji Juli, who also graduated from UTB in 2023 with a degree in Civil Engineering and is currently participating in the i-Ready programme at an engineering firm.
Siti Nurul Izzah Adila binti Arfian, an ALAF scholar who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) at Monash University, Australia, expressed her gratitude for the role ALAF has played in shaping her academic journey, saying, “The programme has been instrumental in shaping my academic journey, providing financial support and guidance that helped me reach my educational goals. Studying abroad has been a transformative experience, exposing me to diverse cultures and academic perspectives.”
Mohd Firdaus bin Mohd Salleh, ALAF scholar pursuing a Bachelor of Economics and Management Sciences at the International Islamic University Malaysia, said, “Alhamdulillah, BIBD ALAF has done so much for me, including financial support, tuition, and school necessities. It has been a blessing. Without them, I would not have been able to secure this scholarship to continue my studies for a better future.”
Currently, nine ALAF scholars are studying at university, with four pursuing their studies overseas.
Five former ALAF students have completed their studies and are now employed in various sectors.
