Local literature goes hi-tech

THE BRUNEI literary scene has found a wider platform as a group of 36 Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) students, with joint efforts from the Language and Literature Bureau, designed a website that promotes local literature.

"It serves as an opportunity for the public to know about local writers," Zefri Ariff, a Malay Literature lecturer at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) told The Brunei Times.

In her opening remarks for the launching of the website, Hjh Aminah Hj Momin said: "Before the existence of the Internet, radio and television broadcast media had more impact and was the more influential media." She went on to say that with the addition of the Internet as a medium for disseminating literary works, it undoubtedly helps in exposing the wealth of literature, and the development of the language.

Www.sasterawan.gov.bn is an educational window that gives detailed information on the background of well-established local writers. The website also sheds light on the styles and processes used by the writers. The general environment of the literature field in the Sultanate is touched upon as well.

An additional web page that boasts interactive qualities is to be added to the website in the near future. The page will facilitate a communication channel for aspiring local writers to seek guidance and advice, on their own work, from the established writers themselves.

The creation of the website is part of a "Media and Literature" course available at UBD.

The 36 students involved in the event were divided into four groups covering the spectrum of media: print media, radio, television and new media (Internet). Apart from being the architects of the website, the UBD students performed the editorial services for the website material that was retrieved from the Language and Literature Bureau.

In the same creative scope, Malay Drama and Creative Arts courses are also being offered at UBD. Currently there are 95 students enrolled in these courses.The Brunei Times