Rokiah Mahmud
Some 224 graduates received their degrees and diplomas at the 11th Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) Convocation Ceremony at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Berakas yesterday.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Chancellor of KUPU SB graced the event and presented certificates to the graduates.
The monarch was greeted upon arrival by Minister of Religious Affairs and Chairman of KUPU SB Council Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman; Chief Syar’ie Judge and member of KUPU SB Council Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar; KUPU SB Ra’es Dr Haji Adanan bin Haji Basar; and KUPU SB Acting Registrar Adi Rani Soffian bin Abdul Rahman.
The ceremony began with a recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, led by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned.
This was followed by the entrance of His Majesty, led by Pengiran Haji Amirul Amin bin Pengiran Haji Jamaluddin holding an Al-Quran.
The event continued with the singing of the national anthem and mass recitation of Surah Aali-‘Imran verses 132 to 134 and Surah Al-‘Alaq verses 1 to 5 by the graduates followed by an interpretation of the texts by Abdul Hadi Nasrullah bin Ashraf.
The ceremony then saw a welcoming address by the Ra’es and a titah by the monarch.
His Majesty then presented certificates to five Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Teaching in Islamic Education and Syari’ah graduates; seven Master’s Degree in Syari’ah, Arabic Language, Ahli Sunnah Waljama’ah Research and Islamic Education graduates; 34 Postgraduate Diploma in Religious Teaching in the field of Islamic Education and Arabic Language for non-Arabic Speakers graduates; 91 Bachelor in Religious Teaching graduates; 80 Higher Diploma In Religious Teaching (Islamic Education) graduates; six Diploma of Kitab Turath Studies graduates; and a Special Certificate in Teaching graduate.
After the certificate presentation, the Ra’es announced the recipients of Ra’es Award and Dean’s Prizes.
The event concluded with a Doa Selamat, read by the State Mufti.
