State University of Malang (UM) yesterday concluded community service activities for Indonesian citizens in the Sultanate.
The visit to Brunei was part of the Overseas Partnership Service (PKLN) scheme, said Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Psychology at UM Dr Nur Eva.
Dr Nur Eva and UM alumnus Sri Andayani, were in the country to conduct the activities from July 4 to 10.
Aside from cognitive assessment of school-age children and counselling on the results of cognitive assessment, they also conducted a parenting workshop on optimising children’s potential, she said.
Held in collaboration with the Indonesian Embassy in Brunei Darussalam and the Indonesian Community Association in Brunei Darussalam (PERMAI), over 75 Indonesians attended the parenting workshop.
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the Indonesian Embassy in Brunei Darussalam Irwan Iding welcomed the UM representatives. “We hope that the community service activities can be carried out continuously, so that more school-age Indonesian children in Brunei will have the opportunity to undertake cognitive assessment tests,” said Irwan Iding.
PERMAI President Mukhidin Umar expressed his support for UM’s activities, adding that there are not many university service activities in the Sultanate.
He also said he was happy to know a lot of Indonesians could benefit from the activities.
Over 25 Indonesian children aged eight to 15 took the cognitive assessment test while their parents received counselling based on the assessment results of their children.
“The results of the test at that age period are not set in stone. They are initial information to optimise the child’s potential,” said Sri Andayani.
At the workshop, participants were briefed on parenting methods, as well as joined a discussion on their children’s development.
The event was moderated by senior lecturer at Universiti Brunei Darussalam Evi Nurvidya Arifin. – Lyna Mohamad
