A Signing and Certificate of Award presentation ceremony took place on 28th April 2006 at the Officers’ Mess, Berakas Garrison, for recipients of two very prestigious scholarships that are offered annually by the Ministry of Defence. These are the Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Scholarship and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Scholarship. The Guest of Honour at the ceremony was the Deputy Minister for Defence, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Retired) Dato Paduka Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar.
In his remarks, the Deputy Minister for Defence highlighted that maintaining operational readiness and transformation are both key priorities for defence. He quoted the titah of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, being the Minister of Defence and the Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, at the 44th Anniversary of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces last year, where His Majesty stressed on the importance of the need for transformation: “Transformation is not only in structure, techniques and abilities but also from the point of leadership and minds.”
The Deputy Minister further disclosed that in order to satisfy those priorities, the Ministry of Defence requires skillful, knowledgeable and talented human resources. In fulfilling that need, His Majesty consented to introduce and award the Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Scholarship in August 2005. In February this year, His Majesty again consented to introduce a new scheme, the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Scholarship. The Scholarships portray His Majesty's wisdom, encouragement and generosity in identifying, attracting and nurturing promising Brunei students to be the next generation of leaders who will contribute significantly to the nation's defence and security, as well as to the society and community at large.
The scholarship initiative is also in line with His Majesty's Government's policy, where earlier this year a total of B$250 million had been allocated to establish a special fund to implement various programmes to strengthen human resource development in the country.
The Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Scholarship, the most prestigious scheme, was first introduced in 2005. It is awarded to the most outstanding ‘O’ level and ‘A’ level students. The recipients will eventually pursue careers either as civilian or military officers in the Ministry of Defence or the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. To be eligible, each student must be a citizen of Brunei Darussalam; attain at least 8 Grade As for those from ‘O’ level, or at least 3 Grade As for those from ‘A’ level.
The Royal Brunei Armed Forces Scholarship, the second most prestigious scheme, made its debut in 2006. It is awarded to top ‘A’ level students who will eventually pursue careers as military officers in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. To qualify for this scheme, students must be Brunei Malay citizens; attain at least 1 Grade A and 2 Grade Bs at ‘A’ Level; and pass the Armed Forces Commissioning Board.
The Scholarships have very stringent selection criteria, based on the principles of merit and impartiality, ensuring that it attracts the best and the brightest of each cohort of school-leavers to join the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. The selection goes beyond academic ability. Candidates must possess sound personal qualities and character, and strong leadership potential; and have a solid Co-Curricular Activities record.
For this year, 2 ‘O’ Level students and 9 ‘A’ Level students (out of a total of 41 students who were eligible and had been invited to compete) have been awarded the Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Scholarship, irrespective of race, ethnic origin, gender, religion and without reference to social background. The recipients include 5 Chinese students: Lim Shinling from MSPSBS (‘A’ Level); Lim Wang Yng from MSPSBS (Medicine); Koh Cin Yee from MSPSBS (Economics); Hazel Ho Ming Yeh from MDPMM (Law); and Vincent Yap Kah Jiun from MDPMM (Mechanical Engineering). The Royal Brunei Armed Forces Scholarship meanwhile was awarded to 5 ‘A’ level students (out of a total of 37 students).
The Scholarships open the door to a sterling education at some of the best and most renowned universities abroad. They also provide the scholars with a suite of development programmes. The scholars will be put through a systematic grooming process which starts from Day 1 of the scholarship, and continues on during the span of their careers.
After graduating, the scholars will return to answer the calling of defence. They will grapple with a wide range of issues which impact on the nation’s security needs. Through a series of appointments, they will not only be tested as leaders but also as managers, planners and strategists.
As a Ministry of Defence Scholar, they will look forward to a challenging and rewarding career that tests and stretches their limits. They will also gain the experience and confidence that will stand them in good stead in whatever challenges they take on beyond the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
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