THE visit by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam to Australia gave Bruneian students who are studying there a unique opportunity to get closer with the caring monarch and the experience left a deep impression on their lives.

In interviews with the Borneo Bulletin, the students expressed their gratitude to His Majesty for giving them scholarships to pursue their fields of interest and pledged to return to the country and serve in their respective areas of profession.

Haji Abdul Rashid Haji Damit, a final year student who is currently undertaking his Master’s for Islamic Students at Melbourne University, expressed, “We are very proud to have His Majesty with us here and it is only right for us to count ourselves fortunate, Alhamdulillah, to being granted with His Majesty’s Government’s scholarship in Australia.”

The festivities that took place in Canberra, he further shared, was attended by Bruneians from across Australia with some travelling nine hours by bus with the intent of “expressing our gratitude to His Majesty for his kindness and to show our support and love to our beloved king”.

“To be able to communicate with His Majesty was a delight and this will surely motivate us to be more committed to our studies whilst at the same time preserving our nation’s reputation, portraying a positive image of Brunei Darussalam in the eyes of Australians and, of course, the world,” he added.

“We look forward to seeking all the knowledge and experience we can possibly acquire, so that one day we can return home to contribute all these skills for the benefit of our nation. We understand that it is our responsibility to continue to advocate His Majesty’s vision to make Brunei a Zikir Nation in all aspects of life.”

The student representative in Australia, meanwhile, also shared the same sentiments and stated that, “His Majesty’s visit has motivated us to work harder”, whilst at the same time share Brunei’s culture along with the country’s Malay Islamic Monarchy philosophy with their international counterparts.

“I endeavour to fulfil what is necessary of me for the Government of Brunei Darussalam, namely towards achieving the goals of Vision 2035,” said Dk Hajah Kamaliah Hafilah Pg Haji Saiful Rijal who was also given the “honour to be present” during the gathering.

As with her other colleagues, a PhD in Science Education student from University of Queensland Roslinawati Mohd Roslan, also took the opportunity to express her sincerest gratitude to His Majesty “for giving us the opportunity to pursue our studies. We are really grateful for having such a caring Sultan who continues to support us in our education and future”, she said.

A few others also felt privileged to speak to His Majesty in person such as Fatin Radziah Ramli, a student at Queensland University of Technology, who was able to share with the monarch her ideas with regards to the development in the Belait District and was honoured “to know they were open to her suggestions”.

For those seated with His Majesty, such as Siti Athirah Ali currently studying Economics at the University of Queensland, such an experience was overwhelming and she shared that, “I felt rather nervous but also very honoured being in His Majesty’s presence. He was easy to talk to and we exchanged stories of our different experiences in Australia”.

Norhaliza Abdul Lamit, a Nursing/Health Science (Public Health) Major from Queensland University of Technology said she was excited with the monarch’s visit.

“The meeting with His Majesty was such a wonderful occasion to remember since this is my final year as an in-service student in Brisbane. I am thankful to His Majesty for the opportunity that was given to me to further my studies and the funding received,” she said.

Nadia who is undertaking her PhD in Education at University of Queensland said she felt blessed to have the opportunity to meet His Majesty.

“He is such a caring king, may God bless him always. We love him so much and thank you Your Majesty for everything.” - Borneo Bulletin (2 May 2013)