Sultan’s Scholars embark on higher education journey.
Receiving a government scholarship to pursue higher education is a remarkable opportunity that resonates with the promise of a brighter future for our youth, embodying the very essence of empowerment, providing young individuals with the means to surpass financial barriers and embark on a journey of knowledge and self-discovery.
These scholarships are not merely financial aids; they are badges of recognition for the potential, dedication, and talent of young minds, while signifying the nation’s commitment to nurturing its intellectual capital, fostering innovation and creating a more equitable society.
In this era of rapid change and evolving global challenges, government scholarships stand as beacons of hope, illuminating the path towards academic excellence, personal growth and the realisation of dreams.
With the goal of creating educated, highly skilled, and prosperous citizens, leading to a high standard of living, another four outstanding individuals were awarded with the Sultan’s Scholar scholarship scheme by 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 to pursue their bachelor degrees at higher learning institutions abroad.
Alya’ Nuha binti Haji Hayattudin, Ahmad Syahmi bin Haji Mohamad Rozaini, Chloe Cheok Lu Yi and Siti Ain Nursyuhaidah binti Mohammad Sahirin were awarded the scholarship scheme offered under the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (Yayasan).
Alya’ Nuha, 19, has a passion for Arabic language and will pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Lughah Arabiyyah (Arabic Language) at Al-Azhar University, Egypt.
She achieved mumtaz (excellent grade) in the Brunei Religious Education Higher Certificate (STPUB) in 2022.
The third child among five, Alya’ Nuha said it was not only her dream to receive the prestigious scholarship, but also her parents’ as they cried with happiness.
“Alhamdulillah, I feel very blessed and grateful not only for the scholarship but also the opportunity and trust that has been given to me,” Alya’ Nuha said.
Alya’ Nuha hopes that her scholarship will further inspire her passion, adding, “I am committed and determined to fulfilling my responsibilities as a high-achieving student and a forward thinking youth ready to contribute to the nation.”
Sharing her views on the development of Arabic language in the country, Alya’ Nuha said there is growing interest among the public to learn the language, especially among non-native speakers as well as non-Arabic students.
Ahmad Syahmi, meanwhile, expressed his intention to further his education by enrolling in a bachelor’s programme in Syariah Islamiyyah. His goal is to deepen his expertise in the field, aligned with his personal interests.
Simultaneously, while pursuing his bachelor’s degree at Al-Azhar University, Ahmad Syahmi has been diligently learning the language used as the medium for daily communication by the local population to enhance his overall experience.
“By learning the language, it will ease my communication and further enable me to understand their culture,” he added.
“Apart from that, I am currently learning how to cook with my mother, so that I will be able to be more independent while away from my family.”
Ahmad Syahmi also offered valuable advice to students on a similar journey to achieve excellence in their studies and examinations.
He emphasised the significance of seeking blessings from one’s parents and encouraging them to pray for success, stressing the importance of acknowledging that this journey is not only an individual pursuit but also one that involves the aspirations and support of parents.
“When I learnt that I was selected for this scholarship, one of the things that came immediately to my mind was my parents’ happiness, their smiles and tears. This journey is for them along with those who have supported me,” he added.
Chloe, an 18-year-old former student of Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College (MSPSBS), achieved excellent results with two A* in biology and physics and an A in mathematics in her ‘A’ Level examination.
Chloe will be studying for three years at Imperial College London, United Kingdom, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology.
As an awardee, she expressed deep gratitude for the Sultan’s Scholar scholarship, acknowledging the challenges she faced to earn it. She emphasised the importance of diligence, hard work, consistency in studies, and active participation in extracurricular activities.
In sharing advice for those with similar aspirations, Chloe emphasised the importance of hard work, consistency, finding one’s unique learning style, and effective time management.
Meanwhile, Siti Ain Nursyuhaidah will be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in data science at University of Melbourne, Australia. In the ‘A’ level examination, Siti Ain Nursyuhaidah scored two A* in mathematics and economics, and an A for physics.
“Alhamdulillah, I am truly honoured for the opportunity that has been given as well as to our benevolent monarch who has constantly providing a platform for us to excel in our studies.
“To reach my current position, I recognise that it’s not solely my efforts but also the contributions of my parents and teachers. I greatly appreciate their prayers, support, advice, and motivation, which have played a crucial role in keeping me motivated and moving forward,” she emphasised.
Since its establishment in 2006, the Sultan’s Scholar scholarship scheme has granted the honour to a total of 59 students up to 2022.
In 2013, Yayasan extended the scope of the prestigious award to encompass advanced levels of education, including Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes.
As of 2022, six individuals have received scholarships to pursue their PhDs, while nine others have received the scholarships for master’s degree studies. Some of these scholars have already contributed their service to the country through their areas of expertise, while others are still pursuing their studies.
The scholarship scheme holds a prestigious reputation and is conferred upon exceptional students who are selected in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA), in addition to the evaluation conducted by Yayasan. – Rokiah Mahmud
