Brunei's 'Polar Girl' finally gets patron and sponsor for expedition

THE year-long search for a patron and sponsor for the first Bruneian woman on a quest to conquer the South Pole next month has come to an end.

BAG Networks Chief Executive Officer Haslina Hj Md Taib has agreed to be Dk Najibah Era PAM Al-Sufri's patron for the Kaspersky Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition, while her company will act as the umbrella sponsor.

"She (Haslina) is the best choice because she stands as one of the pioneers for women in the workplace," said Dk Era, or popularly known as the "Polar Girl".

She said that she has been trying to get a patron since last year, and Haslina has largely been recognised for her achievements as a female CEO for BAG Networks, a local IT and business services provider.

Dk Era also said that Haslina is an advocate for women's advancement, thus making her a good choice to be the patron.

According to Haslina, her role as a patron would be to ensure that Dk Era gets all the coaching she needs, as well as provide words of encouragement and emotional support to the 26-year-old diplomatic officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. "She is a reflection of how Bruneians can do things and it's not just her (who can achieve). This is important for women," she said.

The CEO said that many people do not believe in Bruneians, adding that she has experienced cases where people underestimate women when she was working in the United Kingdom and USA. "It is about breaking frontiers, being a part of the community to achieve more and not just about being number one," she added.

Saying that she is pleased to help Dk Era, Haslina believes that it is more meaningful when she is involved in the process of providing support, rather than just giving monetary contributions.

"I approached her because she reminds us of what BAG Networks do. There is no question that we wouldn't sponsor her, more like what can we do to help her," she said.

Dk Era encountered financial support problems after raising only $10,500 from public donations, despite needing about US$550,000 for the expedition.

Haslina said that it is more than providing financial assistance, but working with Dk Era to ensure that her well-being is taken care of, including having a Quran and music to accompany the "Polar Girl" when she is travelling alone.

"We're going to make sure that she is successful and prove that youths can do something," she added.

Dk Era is one of the eight all-female team selected from more than 800 applicants for the Antarctic expedition. The 900km journey from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole will take around 40 days.

The expedition is aimed to demonstrate the potential of better intercultural understanding and exchange, and highlight the achievements of women across the world at the same time.

Dk Era will leave for the UK on Saturday and expected to return in February next year.

The Brunei Times