Some 46 participants completed the Brunei Darussalam Civic Programme following a certificate presentation ceremony at the Auditorium Hall of the Information Department on Thursday.
Acting Director of Information Sastra Sarini binti Haji Julaini presented certificates to the participants.
The ceremony commenced with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat led by programme participant Mohamad Sabiq bin Haji Sulaiman, a graduate from Ma’ahad Qiraat Al-Azhar Shoubra in Egypt.
Civic Programme Participant Leader Abdul Qawi @ Ali Hariz bin Haji Ali Hassan, a graduate from Al-Azhar University, Egypt in his speech said briefings and tours provided in the programme are very comprehensive in helping to improve self-identity and increase the participants’ knowledge. Throughout the programme, participants have the opportunity to listen to briefings from the Information Department; Royal Brunei Police Force; Anti-Corruption Bureau; Health Promotion Centre; Cyber Security Brunei and Nextacloud Technologies Sdn Bhd.
Participants were also engaged in group activities and sharing sessions and visited several institutions and organisations such as the Adat Istiadat Negara Department (JAIN); Royal Brunei Air Force; and Rab Global Green Sdn Bhd.
The programme also featured congregational prayers and Maghrib lecture.
As an effort to foster civic awareness and the spirit of volunteering among the participants, the programme also involves community work activities and the delivery of donations of basic goods.
In addition to providing understanding and information about philosophy, aspirations and national goals, the programme is also designed to prepare the next generation forward before they step into the world of work by giving disclosure about the values of nationhood, leadership and social responsibility.
It also intended to provide new experiences to the participants, including introducing them to socio-cultural differences, beliefs and customs that can affect their lifestyle.
The programme participants comprise graduates who have been and are undergoing higher education in the country including Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) and Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB), as well as graduates from overseas currently studying in Egypt, Malaysia and the United Kingdom and undergraduates from higher education institutions undergoing job placement at the Information Department. – Fadhil Yunus