James Kon
Jerick Yap Raymundo who was among the 30 Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) students awarded a scholarship by Hengyi Industries Sdn Bhd (Hengyi Industries) yesterday, said he was glad that he was given the opportunity to study abroad.
“This is a good opportunity to increase our knowledge under Hengyi Industries, which is a petrochemical company that is still growing, providing the younger generation an opportunity to contribute to the Sultanate as well as the company,” he said at the ceremony at the Indera Kayangan Ballroom of The Empire Brunei, Jerudong yesterday.
While studying in China, the 21-year-old hopes to learn more about the Chinese lifestyle and culture. Meanwhile, Hasmi Wafi Fadhlullah bin Haji Elmy Fazlin said, “I hope to gain more knowledge and experience while studying in China. This is a golden opportunity for us to be employed by Hengyi Industries.”
Learning Mandarin, he said, “is not easy for beginners, but it is also an opportunity to learn a new language.”
Twenty-year-old Lim Jia Xin said, “I am grateful for the opportunity given by Hengyi Industries and I would like to acquire new knowledge while studying at Zhejiang University. I also hope to learn more about the culture in China.”
PHOTOS: JAMES KON 
Permanent Secretary (Higher Education) at the Ministry of Education Dr Haji Azman bin Ahmad, the guest of honour, witnessed the signing ceremony. “We are very pleased to sign the scholarship agreement with 30 students of the 10th batch of Hengyi-UBD-ZJU Scholarship Programme for Bachelor’s in Chemical and Process Engineering,” said Hengyi CEO Officer Chen Lian Cai.
“The scholars have completed the one-and-a-half-year course at UBD, and will fly to Zhejiang University to start a new phase of their study. I hope the students will cherish this opportunity.
“At Zhejiang University, you should strive to have great ambitions, study hard, be proactive as well as strengthen your worth and value. Henceforth, contribute to the petrochemical industry in Brunei.”
He also noted that the programme took off in 2013. “In the 10 years, 167 Brunei students have been trained, with 91 having joined Hengyi Industries. They are performing their job responsibilities dutifully and are growing rapidly. Hengyi Industries will continue to support and encourage them to improve their skills, enhance their capabilities and to play a more important role in the company,” he said.
In 2023, “Hengyi Industries will sign the third five-year agreement with UBD and Zhejiang University, which will cover the training of the batch 11 to 15 scholars”, he said.
“The signing of the agreement confirms and fulfils Hengyi Industries’ commitment to not only invest in the construction of refinery and petrochemical plant in Brunei, but also to raise local talents in the petrochemicals industry as they are the pillar of national economic development.”
The CEO reaffirmed that Hengyi Industries has always been committed to the training of local talents. “We aim to build a competitive international team that not only contribute to the development of the company, but also grow into industry elites that can adapt to the demands of today’s industry.”
Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of China in Brunei Darussalam Wang Haitao, UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri bin Haji Kifle and Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Haji Mohd Zamri bin Sabli Haji also attended. Dr Haji Azman, Dr Hazri and Chen Lian Cai witnessed the students signing the agreement, marking the 10th batch of UBD students to have received the scholarship under the Joint Chemical and Process Engineering Scholarship Programme.
