HRH launches UBD Convo Festival

HIS Royal Highness Crown Prince Dr Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah yesterday launched Universiti Brunei Darussalam's (UBD) 22nd Convocation Festival, which saw an Islamic Calligraphy exposition featuring UBD graduates' works.

His Royal Highness, in his capacity as the UBD pro-chancellor also took the time to see a number of exhibits being showcased as part of the Convocation Festival, themed "UBD. Building with the Community".

Among the exhibits was UBD's 2010 Poverty Project, a pilot study being carried out to look into the causes of poverty in Brunei.

His Royal Highness also spent time learning about UBD's participation in Social Enterprise for Economic Development (SEED), a project that saw a UBD delegation involved in research and plan of action for a village in Kelantan.

"The Crown Prince thought it was great that UBD students had a chance to participate in something like this," said Ak Hj Ahmed Fadillah Akhbar Pg Hj Sellahuddin, a member of the UBD (SEED) delegation who had the opportunity to speak to His Royal Highness about their involvement.

He said the Crown Prince felt "it was good exposure" for his team to have participated in the project. "We proposed that the project be held in Brunei, and the Crown Prince was also interested in hearing that," he said.

His Royal Highness visited the Islamic Calligraphy Exposition held in this year's convocation festival, taking the time to ask the exhibitors about their work.

"His Royal Highness asked me to explain the abstract behind (my) work," said Ahmad Busyra Hj Matzain, one of the first of several exhibitors that the Crown Prince had the chance to speak to.

The UBD graduate also expressed his excitement at having the chance to showcase his work to His Royal Highness.

Nurul Hidayatul Nadirah Hj Abdullah was another exhibitor that was grateful for the interest taken by His Royal Highness.

"I'm proud and grateful because it's not always that you get the chance to show your work to royalty, and explain the method and meaning behind," said Nurul Hidayatul Nadirah.

"At first I did not think anyone would even take note of my exhibit, but it's been overwhelming that people have come to take interest," she said.

His Royal Highness also had the chance to see the methods in teaching calligraphy to students, with a number of school children also taking part in the exhibition.

In particular, His Royal Highness saw a batch of school children learning the Jawi alphabet and basics using an Apple iPad.

His Royal Highness was also presented with an iPad from the university students that had been pre-loaded with a host of calligraphy applications showcased during the exhibit.The Brunei Times