BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Thursday 20 Sept 2007 - 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 Negara Brunei Darussalam consented to receive a 'Junjung Ziarah and Ramah Mesra' from 14 recipients of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Supreme Commander Scholarship and 3 recipients of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Scholarship. The ceremony took place at the Istana Nurul Iman this afternoon.

Present at the ceremony were the Deputy Minister of Defence, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Md Yussof and the Permanent Secretary of Defence, Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat. Among other invited guests were the parents of the proud scholars.

As the challenges and opportunities in global security and defence become more complex, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) with the release of 2004 Defence White Paper and Defence White Paper Update 2007 has identified the importance of maintaining operational readiness for national defence, and also the need for transformation, not only in force structure, but in the development of the country's human resources.

It was with the intention of realizing this vision that His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, has consented to introduce the Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Scholarship Scheme in August 2005 followed by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Scholarship Scheme initiated in February 2006. The scheme has aimed to attract and groom exceptional young leaders to contribute in areas of defence and security with the Ministry of Defence in particular, and with Brunei society as a whole.

Since the introduction of the Scholarship Scheme from 2005 to 2007, the ministry has awarded a number of 39 outstanding Bruneian students, 28 students were awarded the Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Scholarship and 11 students were awarded the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Scholarship.
The selection process for the scholarship awards is based on systematically structured and focused criterias that identifies potential future leaders.

Outstanding co-curricular records and excellent academic abilities are the core criterias that fulfill the initial qualification requirements for the scholarship schemes awards. Students should also possess examplary personality and leadership potentials which are the exceptional factors that ensure the awardees are fully qualified to receive the prestige and honour of the scholarships.