UBD's student tops oratory contest
Sunday, May 20, 2007
TWENTY-three-year-old Nurulida Hj Mohd Yusof rose to the challenge of competing against five other participants to lift the coveted prize of becoming the National Youth Oratory Contest champion yesterday.
Judges declared her the winner after her arguments on the topic, "Leadership Among Youths as the Nation's Aspirations," proved to be more convincing and won them over with her first-rate public speaking skills at the competition that took place at Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College.
The fourth year Malay literature degree student at Universiti Brunei Darussalam said that she wanted to present her views on that particular topic because it is relevant in Brunei Darussalam's context to bring up today's youths as future leaders.
"I wanted to share with the audience so that youths are exposed to leadership skills (and) I believe that there are now more youth activities in Brunei which can help to foster effective leadership skills," she said at the sidelines of the competition.
Nurulida said that she took about a week to prepare for the contest including research for materials and writing the speech itself.
In her speech, Nurulida said that one's literacy in culture, language and customs reflects the nation's capabilities and strong faith based on the Malay Islamic Monarchy philosophy is pivotal for youth empowerment.
Nurulida, who scored 80.75 per cent in the competition, has previously participated in youth forums and other youth oratory contests. She plans to further pursue her Masters degree.
With a score of 75.2 per cent, Abdul Muizz Moktar from Brunei-Muara district was the runners-up, while Siti Sharinah Othman of Belait district took the third spot.
The contest was open to youths aged between 18 and 30, and participants were judged on the content, fluency of speech and technique.
Oration should be embedded in our learning culture that contains facts, arguments, views and opinions that can be considered and pondered upon as a reference to listeners, said Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Hj Md Zain Hj Serudin, Minister of Religious Affairs. Speaking as the guest of honour at the contest, he said that such competitions provide youths the chance to express their ideas and opinions, as well as train them to speak in front of large crowds.
This will eventually raise their abilities to become more competitive and train them to become future leaders, because a leader must be fluent in sharing his knowledge and experiences, he added.
Professor Madya Dr Hj Hashim Hj Abd Hamid, chairperson of the contest, said that the Brunei Youth Council is organising the competition to open up opportunities in "producing human resources that have the intellectual prowess in leading the nation's development".
The contest, themed Youths' Commitment Empowers Nation's Abilities, was held in conjunction with Brunei's 23rd National Day.
One of the contest's objectives was to get youths to get involved in raising the status of Malay language as the dominant language, and serve as a platform to disseminate information to the public.
The Brunei Times
Judges declared her the winner after her arguments on the topic, "Leadership Among Youths as the Nation's Aspirations," proved to be more convincing and won them over with her first-rate public speaking skills at the competition that took place at Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College.
The fourth year Malay literature degree student at Universiti Brunei Darussalam said that she wanted to present her views on that particular topic because it is relevant in Brunei Darussalam's context to bring up today's youths as future leaders.
"I wanted to share with the audience so that youths are exposed to leadership skills (and) I believe that there are now more youth activities in Brunei which can help to foster effective leadership skills," she said at the sidelines of the competition.
Nurulida said that she took about a week to prepare for the contest including research for materials and writing the speech itself.
In her speech, Nurulida said that one's literacy in culture, language and customs reflects the nation's capabilities and strong faith based on the Malay Islamic Monarchy philosophy is pivotal for youth empowerment.
Nurulida, who scored 80.75 per cent in the competition, has previously participated in youth forums and other youth oratory contests. She plans to further pursue her Masters degree.
With a score of 75.2 per cent, Abdul Muizz Moktar from Brunei-Muara district was the runners-up, while Siti Sharinah Othman of Belait district took the third spot.
The contest was open to youths aged between 18 and 30, and participants were judged on the content, fluency of speech and technique.
Oration should be embedded in our learning culture that contains facts, arguments, views and opinions that can be considered and pondered upon as a reference to listeners, said Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Hj Md Zain Hj Serudin, Minister of Religious Affairs. Speaking as the guest of honour at the contest, he said that such competitions provide youths the chance to express their ideas and opinions, as well as train them to speak in front of large crowds.
This will eventually raise their abilities to become more competitive and train them to become future leaders, because a leader must be fluent in sharing his knowledge and experiences, he added.
Professor Madya Dr Hj Hashim Hj Abd Hamid, chairperson of the contest, said that the Brunei Youth Council is organising the competition to open up opportunities in "producing human resources that have the intellectual prowess in leading the nation's development".
The contest, themed Youths' Commitment Empowers Nation's Abilities, was held in conjunction with Brunei's 23rd National Day.
One of the contest's objectives was to get youths to get involved in raising the status of Malay language as the dominant language, and serve as a platform to disseminate information to the public.
The Brunei Times
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