Universiti Teknologi Brunei hosted 53 students from the Sufri Bolkiah Secondary School Tutong today for a Masterclass session, which is one of the activities under the University’s Bridging for the Hopes of Tomorrow (BRIGHT): School Adoption Programme. The school was formally ‘adopted’ by UTB in February this year for a period of two years.
The Year 11 students were welcomed by a brief introduction about the University by the Director of International and Public Relations Office, Hj Ady Syarmin bin Hj Md Taib, followed by video presentations on engineering by Dr Sharina Yunus, the Professional Advancement Unit Coordinator, who also coordinates the BRIGHT Programme. The students also met UTB academic staff and spent time inside the various engineering and IT laboratories to participate in hands-on activities that test their problem-solving and working skills. Throughout the session, the students were accompanied by ‘UTB Student Mentors’ who also shared their experience to the younger students.
Amongst the students was Law Tze Shan, she said that the programme has taught her about the different areas in engineering, and inspired her to become an engineer in the future. Fatin Nur Aqilah Natasha Binti Abdullah Azamain, and Nadia Emily Tania Hj Khallidden also shared their experience, “I discovered a lot more about Engineering especially in Civil Engineering where we were given the opportunity to use the equipment and tools for the first time” said Fatin. While Nadia expressed that it is more fun to get personally involved in science with a group of friends.
“Personally I think the programme is a good and fun experience for the students as well as the teachers. I hope the students will gain more knowledge, and skills on the hands-on experience from this trip” said Cikgu Md Hazmi Rafiuddin bin Abdul Rahman, a teacher from the Sufri Bolkiah Secondary School Tutong.
The BRIGHT programme was introduced as a community engagement strategic initiative to help build a strong science capital amongst secondary, and tertiary level teachers and students, and to develop a deeper understanding of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects in Brunei Darussalam.
BRIGHT consists of five programmes: ‘Student Alumni Career Day’, where students will get the opportunity to meet graduates, and working professionals to attract the students and to expose them of career opportunities in the science and engineering field; ‘Masterclasses’, students will attend lectures and laboratory classes; ‘Student Mentors’, UTB students will assist and organise various related activities; ‘Science and Technology Club Support’, to support teachers in establishing Science and Technology Clubs, to inspire students to continue with science subjects and careers; and ‘Professional Workshop for Teachers’, science-based teachers will have the opportunity to work alongside leading scientists and engineers from academia and industry, and also to collaborate, plan, and share best practices in education with one another.
