Love Beyond Time by Arriana Chariz Gamido Phua, Alya Irdina binti Rasman and Alya Batrisyia binti Abdul Rahman from Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College received the Award of Excellence at the Asian International Children’s Festival in Minami-Awaji City, Japan on December 16. Three films from Brunei, Decisions, Love beyond Time and What I Want – To Promote Brunei were nominated.
Arriana Chariz Gamido Phua also won the JENESYS-Japan International Cooperation Centre (JICE) Award for Online Program Category, presented at the end of the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) Programme on December 19 in Japan.
The Ministry of Education through the Department of Schools and the Department of Private Education coordinated the participation of nine students for the JENESYS programme in Japan from December 13 to 19 with other ASEAN member countries and Timor-Leste.
The programme’s main objective was to enhance the relationship between Japan and the other participating ASEAN member countries and regions by presenting and exchanging short films and promoting cross-cultural and mutual understanding.
The programme’s highlight was the Asian International Children’s Film Festival in Minami-Awaji City, Japan on December 16.
Students from the Asian countries had to come up with a three-minute film based on the theme of What I Want. Altogether, 54 films were nominated from 15 countries.
One of the extra-curricular activities the majority of the students participated in was Kendo, which they learnt the basics, said chaperone Zati Izni Fazreena binti Haji Mohd Hussin, an education officer at Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College on arrival at the Brunei International Airport yesterday. “It was an unforgettable experience for me as a supervising teacher as it is my first time. Everyone was very cooperative.
“Our schedule was tight as the students had to participate in the orientation programme after checking in to the hotel.”
One lesson they gained from the programme was punctuality as the Japanese culture emphasises this as well as recycling.
Students experienced the Japanese culture as well as from the other 15 countries and mingled and communicated well despite the language barrier.
“I saw the students cleaning the school before their learning session as the school emphasised on cleanliness. They made an effort to communicate well and enjoyed the performances from the host and participating countries.”
Officials from the Department of Schools and the Department of Private Education led by Acting Director of Schools Haji Metussin bin Haji Jais were at the airport to welcome the delegation. – Lyna Mohamad
