Sultan's Scholars three of the best
By Azaraimy HH

The prestigious "Sultan's Scholar" of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation was awarded to three exemplary students yesterday afternoon at the Sultan's Scholar Awarding Ceremony held at the Istana Nurul Iman.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to present the scholarships to three recipients for the academic session 2008/2009. They are Awang Muhd Khairul Kamilin bin Haji Hamdan, Awang Muhammad Hazmi Rafie bin Hassan and Awang Mohammad Adiazizi bin Haji Awang Mohd Mahdi.

Also present at the ceremony were HRH Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and HRH Prince Abdul Malik.

The first recipient, Awang Muhd Khairul Kamilin, former student of Shrewsbury School, United Kingdom, will pursue Chemistry at Pembroke College, Oxford University, UK.

The second recipient, Awang Muhammad Hazmi Rafie, former student of Berakas Sixth Form Centre, will further his studies at Imperial College University of London, United Kingdom in 'Computing'.

The third recipient, Awang Mohammad Adiazizi, will further his studies in 'Chemical Engineering' at University College London (UCL), University of London, UK.

The awards ceremony began with a recital of the Surah Al-Fatihah by State Mufti, Pehin Dato Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Dr Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned.

His Majesty then presented the scholarships to the three recipients and later mingled with the awardees and their parents before consenting to a group photo session.

Among those who attended the ceremony were chairman and members of Jemaah Tadbir Yayasan, chairman and members of the Yayasan Board of Directors, Minister and Deputy Minister of Education, members of the Sultan's Scholar Steering Committee, senior government officers and senior officers of Yayasan and principals and students of sixth form institutions from all four districts of the country.

The Sultan's Scholar scheme is one of the most prestigious scholarships offered in the sultanate, exclusively given to students who obtain commendable results in their GCE 'A' Levels or its equivalent.

Selected students must also be active in extra-curricular activities (ECA) and community work within the country in order to obtain the exclusive scholarship to further their studies at prestigious universities recognised by the Foundation and the Ministry of Education.

In maintaining its prestigious level, the scholarship is offered to no more than five students at a time and who must also be citizens of the sultanate.

The scheme aims to cultivate the spirit of excellence of students and to increase the number of His Majesty's subjects who are well-educated, skillful and disciplined for the long term value of religion, monarchy and the country.

Awang Muhd Khairul Kamilin, 19, hails from Kg Sg Belukut and has eight siblings. Awang Muhd Khairul can communicate well and has keen interest in Chemistry. He is also an independent person, one who is highly motivated and optimistic. He has no hesitation in voicing out his ideas and perspective on current issues within or outside the country.

His selection as a Sultan's Scholar comes as no coincidence as he active in school ECA he has received several awards or accolades such as 'Gold Certificate in British Upper Six Chemistry Olympiad 2008', 'Shrewsbury School prize winner for Chemistry 2008' and High Distinction British Lower Six Chemistry Olympiad 2007.

At Shrewsbury School, he scored As in 4 A levels - in Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Further Maths.

Muhammad Hazmi Rafie, 19, is from Perpindahan Lambak Kanan with four siblings. He can communicate eloquently, has an outstanding character and personality.

His main interests lies in the ICT business. In ECA, he has won a karate competition organised by private academic institutions. He was also a participant of the "Asean Students Exchange Programme' and 'Youth Camp Team Building Outward Bound' in Singapore.

Muhammad Hazmi Rafie scored highly in three 'A' level subjects - mathematics (A), Physics (A), Chemistry (A) and AS General paper (B).

Awang Mohammad Adiazizi, 19, comes from Kg Pasai, Sengkurong. He also has an innate ability to communicate well. He is also quite active in ECA, taking part in the 'National Maths Olympiad' and 'First Energy Week School Project Competition'.

He scored As in three 'A' Level subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and AS General Paper. - Borneo Bulletin (31st August 2008)


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