A prize presentation ceremony was held today, 24 November 2022, during the closing ceremony of the Environmental Education Project at the Mangrove Paradise Resort with more than 60 attendees.
The Environmental Education Project is the 3rd Edition of the Environmental Education Tour Project, a collaboration between Green Brunei, Mitsubishi Corporation and Brunei Shell Petroleum. The project is supported by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Development, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism and Energy Department, Prime Minister’s Office.
Dr Shamsiah Zuraini Kanchanawati binti Haji Tajuddin, Permanent Secretary (Core Education) from Ministry of Education was present as the Guest of Honour.
Dayang Khairunnisa binti Awang Haji Ash’ari, the Co-Founder of Green Brunei began the closing ceremony with her welcoming speech, “The Environmental Education Project has since evolved from its inception. The first Environmental Education Tour (EET) Project in 2020 started with just a tour of Tenaga Seria Brunei and Seria Energy Lab. Involved were students from lower to higher education as well as members of the general public. The project mainly aims to raise awareness on climate change, renewable energy and electric vehicles under Brunei Darussalam National Climate Change Policy through education. Last year, the EET project had a similar concept, however, it was done virtually due to the pandemic. Both projects received positive feedback from schools and the participants. Therefore, we wanted to continue raising awareness but with a different approach.
The Environmental Education project was a transition from theoretical to a more practical experience for the participants. In addition to site visits to Tenaga Suria Brunei and Seria Energy Lab, the project consisted of new activities such as environmental school talks, river cleanups and tree planting activities.
I believe this year’s programme was much more wholesome as the students feel more accomplished participating in the activities. For the tree planting, the students had to carry the saplings up the hiking trail. It was a struggle due to the condition of the trail from the rain and it was also a long trail but in the end, all that hard work was worth it as the trees they planted will help reduce effects of climate change. The river cleanup also garnered positive response from the primary students from Sekolah Rendah Sungai Siamas. The students were excited to help us pick up the trash and some were brave enough to go down the slope, with the supervision of the Brunei Fire and Rescue Department, to help us clean the river. We also had help from representatives from the Embassy of Japan, who were determined to get all the trash, even the ones that were deep in the mud. Moreover, the physical school talks also had a more energetic audience, the students were more engaging and proactive. It was a better learning experience for the students as a whole.
Therefore, I would like to share my sincerest gratitude and appreciation to the people that help make this programme a success.”
Sayaka Adachi, who represented Tadashi Hara, Country Representative of Mitsubishi Corporation (Brunei Liaison Office), said in her speech that “For these three consecutive years, the Environmental Education Tour has been a successful and valuable experience for students.
For this year 2022, with collaboration with all stakeholders, we managed to resume physical activities.
Firstly, we organised tree planting sessions in September, where Mitsubishi Corporation contributed 507 tree saplings at Berakas Forest Reserve.
Secondly, same as 2020 and 2021, under the support of Brunei Shell Petroleum, we conducted Tenaga Suria Brunei (TSB), Seria Energy Lab (SEL), as well as BSP’s Solar Panel visit to secondary students.
Thirdly, we newly introduced two river cleanup activities at Kampong Ayer, with the support of the Brunei-Muara District’s Office, the Fire and Rescue Department, and the Department of Environment, Recreation, and Park. This was the first time for us to take part in river cleanup activities, as another way to promote environmental awareness to the students and the public. Through complete teamwork, we managed to collect a total of 641.9kg of rubbish. We truly hope that the participants will continue to play a role in the public, stressing the importance of a clean environment.
Last but not least, this year we organised a drawing competition for primary school students with the theme ‘Climate Change’. With the collaboration of the Co-Curriculum Department and Green Brunei, we received 484 artworks. We appreciate their efforts in joining the competition, who have shown their exceptional creativity and drawing skills. With the kind support of the judges, 10 students were nominated as the winners who will be presented later in this ceremony today. And here, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the students’ winners.”
As part of the programme, Green Brunei announced the winners for the Art competition. The first place from the boys category is Muhammad Wafi bin Rosley from Sekolah Rendah Raja Isteri Fatimah and from the girls category is Chloe Raphaele Ramesh from St. Andrew’s School, each receiving a $350 cash prize, a trophy and certificate.