Crown Prince launches Pesta Convo
By Hamidah Ismail

The annual Pesta Convo or Convocation Festival to celebrate the upcoming 23rd Convocation of Universiti Brunei Darussalam kicked off yesterday with the official launching by HRH Prince (Dr) Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, who is also the Pro-Chancellor of UBD.

Until October 22, the UBD Scholars Association or PMUBD will organise several activities, like art showcase, exhibitions and cultural performances, which are scheduled to take place at 8am on September 10 at the Student Centre UBD; October 7 & 8 at Dewan Bandaran Serambangun in Tutong; October 15 & 16 at Dewan Bandaran in Kuala Belait; and October 22 at Ruang Legar Kedai Bumiputera in Temburong.

On September 20, the PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences will be organising several activities such as the First Aid Return Demo, Blood Taking and Suturing Demo, health promotion activities such as the assessment of blood sugar and blood pressure; stress management; fitness test; dental and eye check up; health talk; healthy food stall and an advice booth. The activities will take place at the PAPRSB IHS Sunken Courtyard, Skill Labs, Anatomy Resource Centre and Lecture Theatre.

The Faculty of Science will also be opening its doors to the public on the same day, September 20. Between 10.30am and 10.45am, the Biology Department will be coordinating a Pop Quiz while the Chemistry Department will be showcasing a magic show. From 11.15 to 11.30am, the Physics Department will be showcasing the Water Rocket, Hydrogen Fuel Cell & Toy Car H-Racer, Floating Globe, Nebula Ball Air Blower and Crookes Radiometer Light Experiment. A career talk will also be conducted by the Chemistry Department at 1.30pm.

All shows and displays by the Faculty of Science may be viewed at the Student Affairs Section and the Student Centre, UBD.

Sports enthusiasts may take part in the Convo Run and Fun Cycling event on October 2. The run will begin and end at The Core, UBD and will cover a distance of 6km while the Fun Cycle will cover a 35km route from Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) in Gadong to UBD.

Members of the public who are interested to participate in both events are required to register at The Core, UBD at 6am on the day of the event.

Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor of UBD, Dato Paduka Dr Haji Zulkarnain bin Haji Hanafi, in his opening speech during the launching of Pesta Convo yesterday, said additional activities have been outlined in this year's Pesta Convo. Among them is the art showcase.

"The art showcase serves as a platform for local undergraduates from UBD and overseas to share and exchange opinions and experiences," he said.

Another milestone is the extension of the Community Outreach Programme to all four districts. "It is aimed at exposing UBD students to team up and interact with the community, which in turn will train the students to recognise, understand and assist those in need. It is also hoped to develop the students' personality and analytical skills among others," he added.

UBD's Pesta Convo will continue until October 22, 2011 while the 23rd Convocation Ceremony is scheduled to take place on September 29. - Borneo Bulletin (9th September 2011)


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