BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Friday 12 August 2016 – The Brunei phase of the 8th Brunei Singapore Defence Scholars Development Programme (BSDSDP) concluded yesterday with a closing ceremony held at the Ulu Belalong after a weeklong programme of physically challenging activities in Temburong.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Brunei, Datin Paduka Hjh Suriyah binti Haji Umar and the Permanent Secretary (Defence) of the Ministry of Defence Singapore, Mr Chan Yeng Kit were the guests of honour for the BSDSDP closing ceremony.
Also present during the event were the Commandant of SAFTI Military Institute, Rear-Admiral Giam Hock Koon; the Managing Director of Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Haji Ibrahim bin Haji Ismail and the Director of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (SHHBIDSS), Muhd Shahrul Nizzam bin Umar.
During the closing ceremony, the scholars presented the lessons they learnt on leadership and teamwork during their strenuous week in Temburong. In addition to discovering their strengths and weaknesses, scholars also faced their fears and overcame them through support and encouragement from their teammates and friends.
The 8th BSDSDSP started on 29 July 2016 in Singapore and ended in Brunei on 11 August 2016. A total of 16 scholars, with eight scholars from each country were involved. This year, Brunei participants consist of six scholarship recipients from the Ministry of Defence and two from Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (Sultan’s Scholar).
The programme brings together scholars from both countries in a programme aimed at further developing leadership, management and interpersonal skills as well as enhance team-building, confidence-building and promoting character development. The programme also promotes a deeper understanding of each other’s cultures and heritage.
During the Singapore phase held in the preceding week, scholars learnt different models and concepts relating to leadership, their tetra personality style, and reflected on their values, life purpose and vision. In the Brunei phase, scholars were able to apply their classroom learning in Singapore to the challenging activities they experienced and worked as a team and as leaders. Through this programme, scholars were able to bond and forge strong friendships among themselves, bringing even closer ties between Brunei and Singapore.
