THE International Relations Student Society of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (IRiss UniSZA) is looking forward to collaborate with Bruneian organisations and institutions in advancing volunteerism programmes in both countries.
Head of the IRiss UniSZA’s delegation, Ahmad Sharif Heron said this on the sidelines of a welcoming ceremony for the Malaysian delegation at Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College (KUPU SB) yesterday.
Since its arrival in the country last Saturday (February 20), the UniSZA’s group comprising two lecturers and 18 students has been visiting Tamu Kianggeh and Kampung Bebuloh to carry out its volunteerism programme, said Ahmad.
He told The Brunei Times that the group has been collaborating with Green Brunei — a local NGO — to deepen their understanding of volunteerism in Brunei and jointly conduct volunteering activities in the sultanate during the visit.
“We are also planning to go to Kampong Ayer and if we are permitted to do any kind of volunteerism projects there like cleaning the masjid or surau,” said Ahmad.
He also added that Brunei is the first country to host IRiss UniSZA’s volunteerism programme.
He hoped that the visit which ends on February 25 will instill volunteerism values among UniSZA and Brunei students and also spread awareness about importance of volunteerism to the wider public.
Muhd Amirul Hafiz Yusri, Programme Director of UniSZA’s Inter-country Volunteerism to Brunei, said that the programme is important not only for promoting volunteerism but also to further enhance partnership between two countries.
“In the future, we can design or organise programmes of collaboration between volunteers in Brunei and Malaysia whilst continue learning from each other and improving ourselves,” he said.
Another participant of the UniSZA’s volunteerism to Brunei, Annisa Syafiqah Asan Ali said that she was impressed with the volunteering activities done by Green Brunei which can set an example for their own volunteering programme in Malaysia.
“I’m hoping that volunteering community in Brunei and Malaysia can cooperate and collaborate more in the future so we can go even further in achieving our aims in helping people, probably even beyond those in Southeast Asia,” she said. Aside from its volunteerism programme and exploring opportunities of possible collaboration with Brunei in the future, the visit is also aimed at strengthening the bonds between UniSZA and local institutions with whom UniSZA already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) like KUPU SB and Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA).
Welcoming the delegation on behalf of KUPU SB yesterday was Dean of Syariah Faculty at KUPU SB, Dr Hjh Noor Hira Hj Noor Kaseh, Deputy Dean, educators and students.
Source: The Brunei Times