Posts Tagged ‘polar’
September around the corner
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam (C) in action during yesterday’s His Majesty’s 69th Birthday Polo Cup at the Royal Brunei Polo and Riding Club in Jerudong. The monarch’s Black Team is through to today’s final after defeating Yellow Team 11-4 in the first day of the four-team tournament yesterday. Image courtesy of Ridhwan Kamarulzaman of The Brunei Times.
It’s never easy when you have a lot on your hands. One reason why I had to forgo my traveling trips for this month especially Denmark. Two big weddings and a Toastmasters competition coming up and not forgetting His Majesty’s birthday celebrations in all the districts. It’s a month that will test my endurance in my late 30s *lol* I still feel I have much to offer (physical and mentally). Oh yea, there are still some corporate Open House invitations before end of August. So I need to squeeze in for that too.
Everyone keeps asking me “How’s the (Brunei) economy?” If someone asks me that particular question then it could be implying that the local economy is going through a transition. Spending power has been lesser than usual. It was evident during Ramadhan where bookings for restaurants didn’t top their benchmark of last year’s. Well, this could be down to another reason (too many new cafes and restaurants). Even purchasing of cars lately have been mediocre to say the least. How so? Because of the new directive from Monetary Authority of Brunei Darussalam (AMBD) that consumers have less flexibility in applying car loans. If you look at it in a positive way, there are good points to why this can benefit the end users in a long run. For me, I am very grateful of our stability in many areas including the economy in Brunei and not forgetting the harmony and peace. After reading what other regional countries are experiencing, it gives me a higher level of gratitude to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan and His Majesty’s government.
I kinda enjoyed Hjh Normah’s presentation. She’s the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources and she gave an insight on the current business environment in Brunei at a different perspective. We shouldn’t just use excuse such as the size of small population or the size of the country as Brunei have untapped opportunities through means of natural resources and culture. It’s never a disadvantage as well being a Muslim country as Brunei can be one of the international hub for the halal market where she highlighted the presence of Bruneihalal brand in the UK, specifically their distribution centre in Birmingham. The other big opportunity is Bio Innovation Corridor (BIC) which serves as base for manufacturers of halal products including food, cosmetics and medicinal and health supplements. She kicked off her presentation by saying Brunei is a good place to detox (mostly from entertainment).
Tonight I will be busy with my gadget(s) taking live feed and snap chatting on Azeez Jaafar and Nisaa Suresh’s Berbedak ceremony tonight. I have been having lack of sleep for the past two weeks or so but it has been fun.
Hari Raya celebration at BIBD Open House with Hj Rozan Yunos and his spouse
The Brunei Robotics Olympiad on the Regular Category. The Open Category will be on 29th August. I shall be covering that event.
Hjh Normah Suria Hayati Pehin Jawatan Dalam Seri Maharaja Dato Seri Utama Hj Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (3rd from left) was the guest of honour at LBD forum yesterday, hosted by Asia Inc Forum and Baiduri Bank and Brunei Press as partners
The DJs from Pilihan at BIBD Open House. It was indeed a very packed event.
Finally the BBA got rid of the dirty mattress. Just a note though that there isn’t any cushion to soften the impact in case a player runs too fast.
Ah, the mini Zinger from KFC. I’m glad they released this as part of their ongoing menu.
Our toastmasters club at Brunei Speakers’ Club is growing week by week. Last night we had the strongest in terms of numbers and it was a wunderbar experience. Keep up the great work, lads!!
My favourite dish of all the Open Houses I’ve been 😀
Always inspired to know a passionate barista/entrepreneur
After my posting on IG, her green tea creme brûlée has been one of the popular items in her cafe. Must try.. Love the texture. Available at Piccolo Cafe (bandar)
My toy, Slyer, watching Minul and I in action on the court. I’ve been losing five straight times against him. What gives?
At Royal Brunei Airlines Open House
Check the new facelift for the Citroen DS3. The price is slightly higher. However, now the current DS3 is selling at $25,750 and it will be sold at that price until all stock is sold.
Now the Acer Iconia Tab 8W is back in stock and it also comes with Microsoft’s new Office 365 (one year subscription). Teachers and students will be able to enjoy the privilege as they will be given a special discount. Now available at Concepts Computer.
Two inspired runners who ran the Sundown Marathon 2015 in Singapore recently and both are using Polar watches. Do follow @polar_bn for updates. More stories on Polar (Brunei) on the sponsorship of local athletes.
Good thing about Snapchat
Thanks AB for the hospitality last week.
A Marvel adaption movie ruined by Fox. How could they?
The logo of my sister’s wedding
Best part of family weddings is gathering and reunions 😀
Now our inside driveway has been transformed into temporary tents
My siblings 😀
My chubby lil sis in her excusable pyjama
Been busy preparing with invites and the protocols for the upcoming events at home. September please come sooner 😀
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Serenity
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BIBD, via its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, showed its full support for Asari Rashid to become the first Bruneian to participate in the Polar Circle Marathon. BIBD’s support for Asari was aimed to create and raise awareness for developing a community that cares, whilst playing its role as an integral and strong partner of the community. This partnership is developed to encourage a positive influence and inspire other members of the community to support similar awareness raising efforts.
Asari is an epileptic PhD student from Newcastle University, UK and a lecturer in Institut Teknologi Brunei. He is also the 1st Bruneian to run the Polar Circle Marathon, participating in the Polar Bear Challenge, which tested his ability to run both the marathon and a half-run within the two days of the competition.
Earlier before the Polar Circle Marathon, Asari mentioned, “I’ve had a lot of people telling me it’s difficult but this is something I really want to try.” Asari, clearly unfazed by the idea of the run, continued, “I was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2009 with tendency of having seizures but it has never stopped me from doing what I love. I am also very thankful to BIBD for providing me with the opportunity to embark on my dream, as together we are able to show the world that everyone has the ability to succeed, regardless of their drawbacks.
“I was inspired to take the feat in order to raise awareness of the needs of people with diseases and show that we are both resilient and determined not to let it become an obstacle in pursuing our dreams including achieving better education. Everyone needs education and it will start from their adolescence, children need to be given as much opportunity in life as possible.”
Asari is no stranger to long distance running, having trained with the Tyne Bridge Harriers running club, had already competed in numerous challenges including completed a Aviva Singapore Ironman 70.3, three marathons, and an Ultramarathon “The Wall” from Carlisle to Newcastle Gateshead, which saw him running 110km miles in an impressive 15hrs and 55mins. The Polar Circle Marathon included a classic 42.195km marathon and a half marathon. The Marathon was held in the worst running conditions of under – 20°C in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland for two consecutive days.
Starting at Kangerlussuaq, the run passes the endless ice and arctic tundra of Greenland, which makes up the glacial deposit landscapes and soundless arctic desert. Part of the route takes place on the 100,000-year-old ice sheet but the main part of the race is run on roads, mostly covered in snow that connects to the inland ice just north of the Polar Circle.
Asari Rashid, an epileptic PhD student from Newcastle University, UK and a lecturer in Institut Teknologi Brunei became the first Bruneian to run the Polar Circle Marathon. Image courtesy of Asari Rashid.
Asari Rashid with new found buddies at the Polar Circle Marathon
A similar effort for awareness, BIBD’s ALAF Programme (Advocating Life-Long Learning for An Aspiring Future), provides a similar avenue for all members of the public to support and provide assistance to underprivileged and orphaned students, through sponsorships of basic needs, educational items and welfare, as well as mentoring and counselling, so that the students can stay focused on their education and maximise their potential. Through ALAF, BIBD hopes to lend its support to His Majesty’s 2035 vision of achieving a 100 per cent level of education and over time, reduce poverty in Brunei.
To further support the aspiration of this program and to enable the deserving students to pursue their education and dreams, members of the public are welcome to provide contributions with a minimum of B$1.01 via the bank’s e-banking channels, BIBD Online, BIBD Mobile, or use any BIBD ATM machines. The public can also use the standing instruction function in their accounts to provide a continuous donation stream into the ALAF account at 1018181811.
The Book of Life
Fury
Netcom 19th Anniversary and you can stand a chance to win a notebook. So far there have been hundreds of shares and likes on Netcom Computer House Facebook page. So keep them coming. Click image to find out more.
Are you always in a rush? Simply throw on one of your favorite pair of jeans, a white tee, and one of our selections of scarves this weekend! We have chosen quite a few great designs that will elevate a simple outfit in one easy step. This weekend, you can layer yourself in this craze and shop gauzy, pretty prints of scarves for only B$11.90 instead of the usual B$19.90 exclusively for REGISTERED MEMBERS ONLY! Hence if you are not registered with Malppy yet, register right NOW. Let its refined look dress up a casual top, or make it even more chic by offsetting its slightly slouchy shape with your structured overcoats for this rainy season.
Weekend Members Special is only valid for 3 days from Friday till Sunday, so be fast before the price is back to original again. For your information, Malppy Weekend Sale will now be exclusively for REGISTERED MEMBERS only hence to enjoy this great deal coming from Malppy every weekend, you need to be registered as a Malppy user.
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Starbucks gift vouchers to be given first 50 customers of BIBD customers
Happening this Sunday – Charity Car Boot Sale organised by Jerudong Park Medical Centre
The Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) has opened another window for applications to its “GRANT for the Development of Local ICT and Digital Media Industries” from 1 November 2014 to 31 December 2014.
The AITI GRANT offers partial funding opportunities for local businesses as well as foreign companies with local partners from the ICT and digital media fields to acquire enhancement, ownership and marketing assistance for their existing “Brunei-Made” product or prototype that has significant commercial viability. There are three (3) grant types available, namely:
a) Enhancement Grant – for improving and upgrading existing products;
b) Ownership Grant – for obtaining certification and quality management systems such as trademarks, patent, and IPR; and
c) Marketing Grant – for marketing and improving existing branding, packaging, design or labeling.
The grant amount varies depending on the type of grant applied and the classification of the businesses. Each applicant is allowed to apply for more than one grant type for the same product with a maximum cap of B$300,000 per category within eighteen (18) months project duration.
To be eligible for the AITI GRANT, an applicant must have valid AITI Accredited Business (AAB) Status and has financial capability to inject an initial amount of self-funding prior to the start of the GRANT project. The applicant must also have developed an existing product or prototype and wishes to obtain the grant to improve and enhance the technological aspects of the product, to improve marketing strategies, as well as to acquire a wider coverage of Intellectual Property Rights protection for their product.
Applications will be evaluated based on four main criteria: technical merits, commercial potential, financial resources, and project plan and capacity to deliver. Further evaluation will also emphasize on Brunei-Made elements of the proposed product as well as the relevancy to any of the following areas: application tools and platforms, communication, e-learning, financial industry application, government and public sectors, health and wellbeing, social inclusion and community, industrial application, media and entertainment technology, ICT research and development, retail and supply chain management, security, and sustainability and environment technology.
AITI Grant Scheme
AITI’s GRANT was initiated to assist the local ICT companies to further develop their ICT and digital media related products and encourage R&D activities and capabilities in producing local innovative Brunei Made products with commercial potential through Government funding.
Since its inception in 2010, AITI has awarded grant to fourteen local ICT and digital media related businesses with an overall amount of B$1.9 million funded under the National Development Plan. To date, ten recipients have already completed their grant projects where some of these products have been now made readily available in the market. The first GRANT recipient, MARS Enterprise, has successfully developed their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution and has penetrated the overseas market within this region.
Two recipients, John Harith Technology Sdn Bhd and ZimacSilicon Technologies Sdn Bhd, have successfully run their pilot projects on Halal Food Traceability System and iCLID, respectively with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the Customs and Immigration Department. Other grant recipients include Crescent Sdn Bhd, Alif Technologies Sdn Bhd, BruGPS Technologies Sdn Bhd, Syarikat Indah Sejahtera Development and Services Sdn Bhd, Ambuyart Animations Company, Cinematicpro Services, Mediahikmah, PHMD Publishing Company, SocialBuzz Advertising, MeSixty Sdn Bhd and Giftbox Enterprise Sdn Bhd.
AITI is pleased to invite all eligible ICT and digital media businesses to apply for the AITI GRANT before the closing on Wednesday, 31 December 2014 by 4.30pm. For more information and guidelines on the AITI GRANT, please visit AITI’s website, www.aiti.gov.bn/AITIGRANT. Individual consultation sessions are also provided. For further enquiries, interested applicants can contact Farihah or Tajul Ariffin of Industry Development Group at 2366659/ 2366681 / 2323232 ext. 6681 (during office hours) or
via email at farihah.said@aiti.gov.bn / ariffin.hassan@aiti.gov.bn.
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