Izah Azahari
Fifty undergraduate students at local universities are taking part in a four-day civics programme which began yesterday.
Information Department Acting Director Siti Bismi Nuruliman binti Haji Emzah said the programme resumed after a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ‘Civic Programme for Undergraduates 2022’ was organised by the Information Department through its Nationhood Unit, Strategic Communications Section, Publication and Strategic Communication Division.
The acting director said the programme aims at providing understanding of government initiatives, while fostering and instilling the spirit of nationhood in the youth.
“Undergraduates are the connecting link of the government’s administrative machinery, and the generation that will realise Brunei Vision 2035. Therefore, it is important for the participants to further strengthen their Bruneian identity and instil a spirit based on the philosophy of Malay Islamic Monarchy,” she said.
Participants were briefed on the programme by Head of the Nationhood Unit Hajah Noorhijrah binti Haji Idris.
Following the briefing, Head of the Strategic Communications Section Muhd Khairulhadi bin Haji Muhd Muhtaddir spoke on ‘Roles and Responsibilities of the People’ and shared the country’s responsibility to the people such as protection, assurance, well-being and prosperity.
Meanwhile, the people and residents have responsibilities to the country and the government, such as loyalty to the monarch; obeying laws and respecting the Constitution of Brunei Darussalam, he said.
Participants were also briefed on the ‘Dangers of Drugs and International Drug Syndicates’ by a representative of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
The participants learnt about the types of drugs, the disadvantages of drugs, the characteristics of those involved with drugs, the techniques of drug smuggling syndicates and punishments.
Participants will attend more briefings throughout the course of the programme, while also visiting a number of government and private sector institutions.
The Civic Programme was introduced in 1976. Now known as the Civic Village Programme, it partners with government institutions and agencies to deliver information and activities to help participants overcome challenges and compete in the era of globalisation, while building a spirit of leadership and competition.
