Mathien Malan Kasim and Ryan Nicholas Elicay winning second and first respectively at the ASEAN Universities International English Speech Competition that was held at Thepsatri Rajabhat University in Lopburi, Thailand

Two students from Universiti Brunei Darussalam battled out 34 other contestants to capture the first and second place at the ASEAN Universities International English Speech Competition that was held at Thepsatri Rajabhat University in Lopburi, Thailand two weeks ago.

Ryan Nicholas Elicay emerged as the champion of the competition and Mathien Malan Kasim finished as the first runner-up. Both the students are Professional Communications and the Media majors from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

Ryan, whose speech was entitled ‘What single ASEAN country could you learn the most from’ quoted, “It was definitely one of the best moments in my life. I would like to thank Dr. Chris Woo, our coach, for his tremendous efforts in ensuring that we had winning speeches, spending so many hours perfecting our speeches and our delivery. And of course the University for giving us the opportunity to take part in the competition. We hope we have made the University and the country proud.”

With the experience that the two students have gained from the competition, they would wish to represent UBD in many other competitions that will be held in the future. Image courtesy of Dr. Chris Woo.

Ryan Nicholas Elicay receiving the first place for the competition

The representative finalists from ASEAN for the competition

 

From 30-31 January 9am to 5pm, you are eligible for a $100 service voucher for participating a customer feedback session at Volkswagen Brunei (Maju Motors Sdn Bhd)

 

Click image to register and find out more

For the first time ever, Bruneians will have a chance to get a ticket to Anfield (Liverpool’s home ground) and play against the best of the best in the world in the Standard Chartered Trophy 2015. It’s a futsal tournament format and it will be a 5 a-side format.

This is made possible by Standard Chartered Bank (Brunei) and this tournament opened to everyone even if you are not a Liverpool fan. For your info, SCB is the official sponsor for Liverpool FC club. The announcement was made yesterday at SCB’s Priority Banking Centre.

So do check out Brunei’s time line for the event below and the winners of the Brunei contingent will be sent to Kuala Lumpur for the regional competition in late March. If your team managed to beat both Malaysia and Thailand, your team will be given the green light to Anfield. By the way, all these trips will be all expenses paid by SCB.

The qualifiers are open to Brunei citizens and permanent residents (phew, I have a chance). They must be over 18 years old and are neither professional/semi-professional players. SCB Brunei has allocated 14 berths to their key stakeholders and 10 more slots are up for grabs.

Each team shall consist of seven players, and those selected will have to pay a registration fee of $100 – which will go to the Humanitarian Fund of the Malaysian Flood Disaster. So this means that if they are more than 24 slots, SCB Brunei organising team will go through the selection process and based the selection on the short essay on why you want to be part of this event. Once you are selected, the $100 registration will be come into play. So if you are registering online, you won’t be charged $100 straight away. Good luck in registering your team.

You can click here for the registration. The closing date is 10th February 2015.

This event is made possible by SCB Brunei and they are very grateful with the support by inistry of Culture, Youth and Sports and endorsed by the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) in assisting SCB Brunei with the upcoming event.

Ng Yick Wei, Head of Brand and Marketing at SCB Brunei, Marilyn Graeme, Head of Corporate Affairs at SCB, Hj Mohd Noor Hj Hamid, Department of Youth and Sports official, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and also a NFABD committee, Hj Aslan Hj Tengah, Supervisor Sport Organisation, Sports Department, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports during the announcement of Standard Chartered Trophy 2015 at SCB’s Priority Banking yesterday

Yay, we were given Liverpool goodies from SCB Brunei

 

Mr. Pierre Imhof, CEO of Baiduri Bank, giving his welcoming remarks

Guests during the relaunch of Baiduri Bank

Baiduri Bank recently officially re-launched its branch at The Mall, Gadong following recent major renovation and upgrading works. The opening ceremony was officiated by the Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Pierre Imhof, who was joined by 11 of the Bank’s pioneer customers in the symbolic cutting of the ribbon.

In his welcome remarks, Mr. Imhof thanked the guests for their loyalty and confidence in Baiduri Bank, adding “It is an honour for us to have our pioneer customers who are still active with us here today. They have been a part of us throughout our 20 year journey, and we look forward to continuing our journey together with them into the future”.

The Bank’s Mall Branch first began operations in 2004, setting the record as the first bank in Brunei with an in-mall outlet as well as operating 7 days a week.

Elaborating on the branch upgrade, Mr. Imhof said, “Our branch network configuration project is a part of our initiatives to enhance customer experience. We constantly upgrade our branches to meet evolving customer needs. The investments we are making to this branch will make for a more welcoming environment for customers to carry out their banking transactions as well as a conducive working environment for our staff. This, we believe, is key to enhancing overall customer experience.”

The refurbished branch features modern and contemporary décor to reflect the dynamism and innovative spirit of Baiduri Bank and offers full banking services to individuals and businesses as well as complimentary personal financial planning consultation. The upgraded premises also have free Wi-Fi as well as more ATMs to cater to the growing number of customers transacting electronically.

Following the launch, guests were taken on a tour of the branch premises led by Ms. Alvina Chung, Regional Manager of Brunei-Muara District and Dayang Vivi Rudynanissmah Hj Mamud, Manager of the Mall Branch.

Also present at the ceremony were Mr. Ti Eng Hui, Deputy CEO of Baiduri Bank, Mr. Andrew Young, Deputy General Manager – Operations Management Division, Diversification & Strategic Development, Haji Haliluddin bin Dato Haji Talib, General Manager of Baiduri Finance, Pengiran Azaleen bin Pengiran Dato Haji Mustapha, Head of Retail Banking and Branch Network and a host of senior executives from the Bank. Images courtesy of Vincent Hong.

 

Rano’s take of 2014 movies with special guest @delgoh and Zul

 

Click image to see Consumer Fair 15 schedule for the weekend

 

12 Art toys bearing the Peugeot emblem – Léo’z Art toys. Now available at Peugeot Boutique in Kiarong showroom

Peugeot has unveiled at Peugeot Boutique in Kiarong showroom its first series of 12 Art toys bearing the Peugeot emblem: lions known as Léo’z. This series developed with PEUGEOT DESIGN LAB, in partnership with the company ARTOYZ, is available from Peugeot showroom starting January 28, 2015.

The series consists of 12 lions, 6 of which were designed by internationally renowned artists: Huck Gee (UK), 64 Colors (USA), Bunka (France), DGPH (Argentina), Tikka NG (Hong Kong), Koralie (France), and the other 6 by the PEUGEOT DESIGN LAB designers: Claire Panel (France), Thomas Josson (France), Damian O’ Hara (Ireland), Hossein Borojeni (France), Flora Tai & Guillaume Daniel (France). The adorable lions measure at 3 inches or 8 cm, and are perfect for Vinyl Figure enthusiasts or car memorabilia lovers.

Léo’z Art toys will be sold at Peugeot Kiarong showroom. Two additional versions, less common and in smaller quantity, have also found their way into this collection.

Each Art Toy on sale is the fruit of an artistic process, and involving lengthy and painstaking work, drawing inspiration from worlds as diverse as contemporary art, poetry, chemistry, origami, architecture, fashion…These unique objects form a link between the world of childhood, by adopting the design of the brand’s lion soft toy mascot created by Christophe Pialat (France), and the grown-up world.

Check out the vLéo’z Art toys

 

Laksamana College now offering degree programmes from the University of Chester

Finally after years of waiting, Laksamana College of Business (LCB) is able to provide a degree course under the programme from the University of Chester. Some of the courses included are such as BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance (3 years), BA (Hons) Business Management (3 years), BA (Hons) Marketing (3 years) and BSc (Hons) Computer Science (3 years).

Late last year, LCB Chief Operating Officer S Sivarajah said the college received the approval letter from the Brunei Darussalam National Accreditation Council.

This would mean that you won’t have to travel all the way to the UK to get a degree and still get certified by a university and endorsed by Brunei Darussalam National Accreditation Council.

LCB currently has more than a thousand active students. Sivarajah said that he expects a high demand from both parents and students as the course offers them an alternative route to receiving a British university education. Sivarajah said the annual cost of the degree programme in the UK is about £10,000 ( BND 20,369) on average, whereas the college is able to offer the courses at BND 9,500. Now that is an affordable fee (almost 50 percent off).

Now LCB is opening for registration for February 2015 intake. A good way to start your undergraduate programme at Laksamana College of Business. For more info, you can call 223 8816 or 223 8818.

 

Acer Liquid Smartphones

Icon Design Store

Royal Brunei Airlines

Want to win a GoPro Hero 3+? Check out #kickItBrazil Peugeot Brunei competition. Competition starts 12th May. Click image to enter Facebook page for more details.

 

Last night was a done deal. The new Executive Committee (ExCo) of Brunei Speakers Club 2014-2015 have been elected and their roles will come to effect by 1st July 2014. Stuart Lee, the current President of Brunei Speakers Club, has done a tremendous stint during his term and rose the club to greater heights as the club reached a high score of 10 out of 10 for Distinguished Club Programme. Let’s hope the new batch will continue the momentum and in Hazwan Kamarulzaman’s inaugural speech as the new elected President, he promised to bring the best out of the club and I trust him for leading the club after his wonderful contribution in his previous role as Sergeant at arm in the Brunei Speakers Club.

new elected ExCo of Brunei Speakers Club – Standing L-R: Sheila Obedoza (Secretary), Joel Loo (Treasurer), Amran Jamaluddin (Sergeant at Arms), Chang Seng Yee (Vice President Public Relations). Seated L-R: Allen Ang (Vice President of Education), Hazwan Kamarulzaman (President), Stuart Lee (current and outgoing President), Reubin Chin (Vice President Membership)

Chris Woo of Brunei Speakers Club put the club on the international map after he won the International Speech Contest 2014 in Surabaya, Indonesia, two weeks ago and he will represent the club in District 87 at the World Convention in Kuala Lumpur in August. I shall mark my date and give my support and wish you to the best, Chris.

 

This is the first time I heard of Founder Institute. Apparently it’s the World’s Largest Startup Accelerator with over 1,000 graduate companies and it’s making its way to Brunei as the first session will be launched this Friday. The Founder Institute is based in the Silicon Valley and with chapters across 61 cities and 33 countries, the Founder Institute has helped to aspire “technopreneurs” launch over 1,116 companies which have created over 10,000 new jobs.

Basically it’s not a done deal just yet as Brunei is still it’s exploratory stage. For a start, the organiser will host pre-curriculum activities which will kick off by a Startup Founder 101 session with Nick Wong as the invited speaker and the agenda is to share information on the basics of being a startup founder. The venue will be at “Co-Working Space 1 (Tru), 3, Telanai Avenue, Simpang 175, Jalan Telanai”. The session will be on Friday 30th May 2014. You can check out the other future sessions from here.

There are also mentors in this program and notably the presence of Dato Timothy Ong, Chairman Asia Inc Forum who is no stranger when it comes entrepreneurship and his vast knowledge and wisdom through his experiences. Other mentors include our very own resilient Keeran Janin, Founder of Chrends, who kinda hit the money shot with his latest app #Chrends and he is definitely a good role model for young, hungry entrepreneurs and of course, Nicky Wong, the owner of Linknet Solutions and the founder of the successful qqestore.com

Catch Nicky Wong this Friday and learn what is it like be to a startup founder and it’s FREE.. Click image to book your seat.

Through the Founder Institute’s part-time four-month program, existing and prospective entrepreneurs can launch a company with expert startup training, feedback, and support from experienced startup CEOs, while not being required to quit their day job. The company’s mission is to “Globalize Silicon Valley” and create sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.

Leading the Founder Institute’s efforts in Bandar Seri Begawan are Md Hadi Shafie, a serial entrepreneur recently relocated to Bandar Seri Begawan from Google, and Nurul Ain Jaafar, one of the people spearheading efforts for SME development in the past.

“There is no time like the present to start a business,” says Hadi.

If you would like to help bring the Founder Institute to Bandar Seri Begawan, then be sure to complete an Interest Form by 2014-06-22 at http://fi.co/apply/bandar_seri_begawan. If enough people complete the form, then the Founder Institute will formally launch a chapter in Bandar Seri Begawan on 4th September 2014. Come on, peeps!! I think we can do this. I will be signing up for this definitely.

 

Group photo with D’Sunlit the organiser of Asean Consumer Fair with the partners of the said event

THE 14th edition of the country’s largest, most popular shopping and entertainment event, styled as the Asean Consumer Fair 2014, will see bargain-hunters and fun-seekers rejoicing with the amazing range of products and services from Asean and beyond.

Themed ‘Bringing the Best of Asean and BIMP-EAGA to the World,’ the fair will feature an extensive array of quality goods and services unique to or specialised in by Asean member countries, including the BIMP-EAGA areas. Recently, D’Sunlit, the organiser, inked an agreement with the event and activity partners during a ceremony held at the Audiovisual Room of D’Sunlit office in Beribi. The event will be held on 25th to 29th June 2014.

Present to sign on behalf of D’Sunlit was its Executive Director Dato Paduka Hj Danial bin Hj Hanafiah, and witnessed by Marketing Manager Sherly Tan.

Other event partners include RTB as event broadcast TV, BIBD as official bank, Kristal Media Sdn Bhd as event broadcast radio, Aewon Garment and Embroidery Sdn Bhd as event apparel provider, Oregon Systems as event CCTV services provider, IBIC Sdn Bhd as event drinking water provider, and Ranoadidas.com as event social media partner.

Meanwhile, the activity partners include Brunei Wafirah Holdings Sdn Bhd, Origin Films, Kingston Beverage & Creamery Sdn Bhd, Syarikat Perniagaan Malar Setia and Topform Co Sdn Bhd (The Body Shop. The upcoming fair will also see the presence of the Thailand Grand Fair, featuring beautiful handicrafts, ethnic cuisine and delicious fruits, while other countries beyond Asean and BIMP-EAGA’s boundaries includes China, Iran and Taiwan.
Visitors to the fair will be spoilt for choice by the sheer multitude of goods ranging from food and beverages, mobile phones and accessories, home appliances, interior décor and banking and financial services. To learn more about the Asean CF14, log on to www.bruneiconsumerfair.com or call D’Sunlit at 2453666.

The Asean CF14 is organised and managed by D’Sunlit in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources.

From Brunei Press Sdn Bhd

The t-shirt for the event

From IBIC Sdn Bhd

From Oregon Systems

From Brunei Halal

From Brunei Halal

From Kingston Beverage & Creamery

From Origin Films

From The Body Shop (Brunei)

 

Late post: Creative advertising and design strategies were the main highlights of DST’s “Future Meet Ups” session on Friday 23rd May 2014 at DST’s Signature Store Training Room in Airport Mall, Berakas. The intensive knowledge sharing and creative workshop session gave participants from Institut Teknologi Brunei (ITB), Jefri Bolkiah College of Engineering (MKJB), Brunei Polytechnic College and DST, insight on how to effectively market products together with the dynamics of understanding creative work in the current business market, as well as learn and apply advertising strategies that result in creative strategic campaigns. The session was facilitated and conducted by Jordan Yau and Reuben Chin from Madmilk Design and Services, two local specialists in the field of creative communication, design and advertising.

Dayang Hjh Safrina binti Pehin Dato Hj Abd Rahman, Manager of Group Corporate Communications, shares her view that local start-ups and potential technopreneurs need to be well versed not only with technical ICT skills but also in areas of business and marketing which are fundamental of successful businesses especially in dynamic business markets which fluctuate according to consumer demands.

The communication specialists from Madmilk were positive about Future Meet Ups as a platform knowledge sharing. In a statement by Jordan Yau he shares, “The session is great because in a world of specialists, you may be really good at one thing, but it turns out you lack knowledge and expertise in other areas so a platform like Future Meet Ups for knowledge transfer is definitely good because everybody gets to learn from one another including ourselves.”

Reuben Chin added enthusiastically that the session was beneficial not just to the receivers of knowledge but to the presenters, “As facilitators not only did the students learn something but we also learn something.

“Future Meet Ups”” is part of DST’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, “Future Series” which is an initiative to create platforms to nurture promising Bruneian ICT individuals through investing in the individuals to generate business opportunities aimed to drive innovation and creativity in Brunei.

At “Future Meet Ups”, participants can connect and network with other participants, brainstorm together and share ideas as well as download information and learn from the session. The upcoming “Future Meet Ups” will take place on Friday 6th June 2014. For more information, please email corporate@dst-group.com Press release and images from DST.

Reubin Chin and Jordan Yau from Madmilk Design and Services facilitating the session on creativity and design

Future Meet Ups Participants engaging in a Creative Thinking Activity to “Think Outside the Box” at this week’s sessio

 

 

Dato Timothy Ong, Chairman of Asia Inc Forum, sharing his thoughts on AEC 2015

The Asean Economic Community (AEC) is an achievable vision but it won’t happen by 2015 according to Dato Timothy Ong, the Chairman of Asia Inc Forum, who was the speaker at the event organised by the Britain Brunei Business Forum (BBBF), entitled “The Asean Economic Community: A Business Perspective”. Dato Timothy Ong is no stranger to the business economics of the Asean region and to me, he is the google human of economics who studies and understands the different kinds of factors that influences policies and the business environments especially among Asean countries.

I still remember of the Asean Summit last year where Brunei was championing the event and the highlight of the Summit was the Asean Economic Community which they envision to be ready by 2015. Dato Timothy Ong believes that such target will be reached but not by 2015. This is because of the different policies, cultures, level of developments (developed and developing countries) and many more. But these factors alone will take some time before all the Asean countries can come to a consensus on AEC.

I do have to agree on one strong point Dato raised and that is the level of urgency from different state leaders. Yes, all the state leaders are heading for AEC but perhaps the level of urgency ain’t the same. So this could affect the target of having AEC by 2015.

After Dato Ong’s delivery on his business perspective, he went on to answer questions raised by the invited guests ranging from deputy permanent secretaries, ambassadors, high commissioners, government officials to entrepreneurs. I have to admit the questions were ongoing until the end of the session and Dato Timothy was the right candidate to respond due to his vast knowledge of Asean policies and business culture.

I really learned more about Asean in that one hour than my history classes back in high school *lol* Thank you to BBBF for the invitation.

Lyndsay Rajah, chair of BBBF

During the Q & A session