The signing of contract ceremony and thanksgiving prayers for recipients of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (SHHB) Foundation (Yayasan) "Sultan's Scholar" was held yesterday afternoon at the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex in the capital.

Awg Mohd Ayyub bin Hj Kamaludin, Dyg Nur Amirah binti Hj Ibrahim, Dyg Rabviatul Adawiyah @ Zahidah binti Hj Awang, Ak Hj Mohd Zaki bin Pg Dato Paduka Hj Zaini and Dyg Nur Amirah Izzati binti Mohd Noor are the recipients of the prestigious Sultan's Scholar by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam for the 2009/2010 session.

The guest of honour at the event was the Chairman of the Yayasan Board of Directors, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong.

Also present were members of the Yayasan Board of Directors, members of the Sultan's Scholar steering committee and working committee, parents and families of the recipients, as well as officers and staff of the foundation.

The ceremony began with the recital of surah al-Fatihah led by Mudim Haji Ahmad Kasra bin Haji Ibrahim, followed by the signing of contract of the five scholarship recipients with their respective parents.

Signing on behalf of Yayasan SHHB was the CEO of Yayasan, Dato Paduka Haji Ali Hashim bin Haji Daud and the Assistant Managing Director of Yayasan and witnessed by the guest of honour.

"The Sultan's Scholar Scheme is offered by the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation and is exclusive to students who obtain excellent academic results in their GCE 'A' Levels or International Baccaleurate or its equivalent.

"The students are also required to be active in extra-curricular activities in order to further their studies at a higher level at prestigious universities recognised by the foundation and Ministry of Education," said the Managing Director of the Foundation.

"Since its establishment in 2006, this is the fourth year for the scheme. From 2006-2008, nine students have been awarded with the scholarship," he added. - Borneo Bulletin (18th September 2009)