Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah, President of the Girl Guides Association of Brunei Darussalam (PPPBD), yesterday hailed the collaboration between the association and an information technology (IT) company to provide an educational and interactive programme for local girl guides.
“Our girl guides will be learning about DNA, solar ovens as well as making their own soaps and crystals. These activities are expected to give them an understanding of the process of turning raw materials into finished, marketable products,” said Her Royal Highness in a sabda during the launch of the PPPBD Tech Changemakers event in a hotel in Kampong Jerudong yesterday.
Her Royal Highness hoped that more of their strategic partners will come forward to work for the good of the girl guides and the community as a whole.
On arrival, Her Royal Highness was greeted by PPPBD Lifelong Vice President Datin Hajah Masni binti Haji Mohd Ali and PPPBD Vice President Hajah Viviyanti binti Haji Md Ali.
During the event, Her Royal Highness received a pesambah from Tech Changemakers Managing Director Daisy Radford.
Her Royal Highness also presented badges to members of the association.
Her Royal Highness later viewed Tech Changemakers Challenge activities conducted at the event, which include creating a DNA model, understanding capillary functions, measuring lung capacities and calculating density of several daily objects.
Meanwhile, PPPBD Vice President Hajah Viviyanti binti Haji Md Ali said the initiative by Tech Changemakers is in alignment with Her Royal Highness’ vision to empower the members with knowledge, science and technology while fostering a fun and positive experience.
She said they aim to extend the pilot programme to members throughout the four districts.
“Through this challenge, members will have the opportunity to earn patches,” she said.
Tech Changemaker managing director said girl guides are a remarkable group of women and girls who embody the values of courage, friendship, and community.
“The fact we’re here today to learn about technology, and most importantly, how technology can be used to help our communities is a testament to that,” she added.
She cited examples of young changemakers that have already made an impact include American Hannah Herbst, who at age 13, engineered a tool that generates electricity from ocean waves and Emma Yang, who created an app that supports Alzheimer’s patients when she was aged 12.
She noted that it is vital to advocate and encourage more women to enter the field of science and technology, “as it’s only through diversity that innovation for good can be achieved”.
According to organisers, the activities aim to expand leadership skills, raise self confidence as well as interact and make decisions as a team. The event aims to give them insights into science and technology, before taking those insights and applying them to improve the world. – Lyna Mohamad
