Professor Ampuan Dr Haji Brahim Ampuan Haji Tengah was recognised as an outstanding individual for his lifelong dedication and impact on the literary and academic fields, receiving the prestigious Anugerah Buku Negara 2024 – Tokoh Cendekiawan Sepanjang Zaman (National Book Award 2024 – Distinguished Scholar Lifetime Achievement Award).
Yang Di-Pertua of Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar presented the award to Professor Ampuan Dr Haji Brahim at the Borneo Arts and Creative Awards (BACA) Gala 2024 recently held in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. He was among the 30 recipients from Borneo, comprising writers in various fields from Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Professor Ampuan Dr Haji Brahim expressed that he was sincerely moved that the National Book Development Foundation’s professional evaluation panel chose him as the recipient for the award. “This award is a testament to the calibre of academics of Malay culture and language,” he said. “Especially in recognition of those from Brunei Darussalam.”
He added, “I hope this award will motivate other scholars to continue with their efforts, actively conducting research and publishing papers and books in their respective fields of expertise.”
The Anugerah Buku Negara 2024 is a prestigious event organised annually by the National Book Development Foundation that celebrates and recognises significant contributions to the book industry in Malaysia. Datuk Emeritus Professor Osman Bakar, former Chair Professor and Director of the Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Centre for Islamic Studies (SOASCIS) in Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) received the “Anugerah Perdana: Tokoh Cendekiawan Ulung Alam Melayu Dalam Memartabatkan Buku Negara” (Premier Award: Distinguished Scholar of the Malay World in Elevating the Nation’s Books) previously in 2023.
Professor Ampuan Dr Haji Brahim is a prolific academic and scholar at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) in UBD who has significantly contributed to the field of Malay Literature over the course of his career. To date, Professor Ampuan Dr Haji Brahim has over a hundred publications including five academic books, and five creative works.
Throughout his academic journey in UBD, Professor Ampuan Dr Haji Brahim has served as the Dean of FASS, Director of the Academy of Brunei Studies (APB), the Director of the SOASCIS, and Acting Assistant Vice-Chancellor, and Dean of Students. He has also served as a member of the editorial board for local and international academic journals.
His exemplary service has been recognised with state decorations including Pingat Jubli Perak Sempena 25 Tahun Menaiki Takhta, Darjah Setia Negara Brunei Yang Amat Bahagia, Darjah Ke-empat (PSB), Pingat Kerja Lama (PKL), Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK), Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei, Yang Amat Mulia Darjah Ke-tiga (SMB), and Darjah Setia Negara Brunei Yang Amat Bahagia Darjah Ketiga (SNB). He was also bestowed the National Excellent Teacher Award 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 in 2015. In 2005, he received the Southeast Asia Write Award, and he was named the Language Ambassador by the Language and Literature Bureau during the Malay Language Month Celebration 2023.
