Six join Japan exchange programme

SIX local students will be heading off to Japan for the first Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) programme.

Yesterday the Japanese Ambassador to Brunei Hashimoto Itsuo held a cordial reception for the selected students at his residence in Kota Batu.

Also present at the event were Dr Chin Yam Chin, president of Brunei Association Japan Alumni (BAJA), Hj Kassim Hj Mohd Yassin, assistant director of secondary school from the Department of School and several officers from the Ministry of Education.

The selected students are Ang Cha Ying from Raja Isteri Girls' High School (STPRI), Amal Widaad Mohammad from Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College, Zayani Zainal and Abdul Muiz Madani from Pengiran Anak Puteri Hjh Rashidah Saadatul Bolkiah Secondary School Lumut, Muhammad Wazzirul Wafaudin Esa from Sayyidina Umar Al-Khattab Secondary School, and Abdul Mu'adz Abidin from Sayyidina Abu Bakar Secondary School.

Also going with the students was a a teacher from Ahmad Tajuddin Primary School, Kuala Belait, Mohammad Faizal Hj Rashid. During the trip he will have the opportunity to meet his Japanese counterparts at junior high school.

The JENESYS programme was launched earlier last year at the second East Asia Summit in Cebu, Philippines to deepen the youth understanding of the Japanese culture through home-stay experience and other exchange activities with Japanese junior high school students.

According to Hjh Norida Abdullah, each school nominated two best students based on their academic excellence, English language proficiency, proactive in extra-curricular activities and good communication skills.

The nominated students were then shortlisted after undergone interviews held by the Japanese embassy.

The Bruneian delegation will depart on November 17 and return home on November 30, 2008.

The programme will include visits to Kyoto and Tokyo, home-stays at Toyota city in Aichi as well as the opportunity of study experience in a Japanese secondary school and performing cultural dances. (NJA1)