The most sought for magazine in Thailand – GQ Thailand issue April 2016. Image courtesy of @gqthailand

 

Promotion at Loft & Co and the promotion will be until end of March 2016.

 

Hj Minorhadi, Head of Government Relations & Special Projects Division, BIBD (right) with ALAF Students for the closing ceremony of the “ALAF TA’ARUF Camp 2016. Image courtesy of BIBD.

To further support the development and progression of students under the BIBD ALAF programme, BIBD has arranged learning camps to help build their self-confidence, develop their communication capabilities, and instil a sense of appreciation of the aims of the ALAF program.

The learning camps are divided into three camps with the first, Refresher Camp, starting on 26 March. The Refresher Camp is specially organised for the latest forty-six students who were recently awarded and included into the ALAF programme for 2016.

On the other hand, the second and third camps, the H.E.L.P (Holiday English Language Programme) camps, are arranged for around eighty students. These camps are organised with the cooperation of the CfBT to deliver bespoke English training camps for the BIBD ALAF programme students.

The H.E.L.P camps include lectures, hands-on and task-based activities to promote teamwork. The camps are also designed to foster a ‘can do’ belief in their English abilities and to establish good learner training habits.

The BIBD ALAF programme currently includes more than one hundred students, whose funding are collected from efforts of BIBD’s Corporate Social Responsibility, which include BIBD Charity Expeditions for ALAF, along with generous contributions from corporate agencies as well as general public since its launch in May 2013 by Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah.

Guest of honour speaking to one of the ALAF students. Images courtesy of BIBD.

During the closing ceremony and certificate of participation for the ALAF students. Image courtesy of BIBD.

The ALAF programme was developed in close partnership with the Department of Schools, Ministry of Education, and in 2015 a Memorandum of Understanding was also signed with the Islamic Studies Department from the Ministry of Religious Affairs. This will lead to constant efforts and close collaboration between all parties to ensure the successful implementation and provision of assistance to the ALAF programme.

The ALAF programme provides the selected students with provisions for school and tuition fees, educational materials and welfare, as well as mentoring and counselling necessities amongst others. All these efforts are meant to ensure the absolute commitment of these students towards the development of their education, and prevent them from being bothered by other commitments. The ALAF programme will also continue to provide support and assistance to these students until the end of their respective educational requirements.

Through ALAF, BIBD hopes to align its support to His Majesty’s 2035 vision of obtaining a 100% level of education for everyone, which in turn is hoped to help reduce poverty. In Shaa Allah, this will lead Brunei towards a more prosperous and peaceful future, making Brunei populated with educated, highly skilful and successful individuals, in line with internationally set standards.

Donation: Members of the public wishing to contribute into the BIBD ALAF fund may do so with a minimum donation of B$1.01 into the BIBD ALAF account at 1018181811 via BIBD channels such as the BIBD Online website, BIBD Mobile app, BIBD ATM and CDMs, and BIBD branch counters. The public can also set up a BIBD Standing Instruction to ensure a monthly donation into the ALAF fund.

As an added option, BIBD account holders can also use their accumulated BIBD Hadiah Points for cash conversion into contributions into the ALAF fund account. Progresif users can also make donation to the ALAF programme via its dedicated SMS in denominations of BND 1,5,10, 15 and 20 by typing “ALAF” and entering the amount selected, and sending it to 38988.

 

Many reasons to love the Audi Q7

Audi’s new Q7 has earned a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS, despite requirements being tightened for 2016.

To qualify, winners must earn “good” ratings in each of the IIHS’ five crash-worthiness tests, the small overlap, moderate overlap, side and roof strength and head restraints tests, and to have an “advanced” or “superior” rating on front crash prevention system.

The German SUV did “good” in the five crashworthiness evaluations and scored a “superior” rating for front crash prevention, as the model has standard Audi pre sense city with automatic emergency braking, which can detect moving and stationary vehicles as well as pedestrians, at speeds up to 52 mph (84 km/h) and initiate braking if potential collision is detected.

“This year’s Top Safety Pick+ award for the 2017 Q7 represents our brand’s longstanding commitment to bringing innovative technologies to the market.”, said President Audi of America, Scott Keogh.

The new Audi Q7 also recently earned the top 5-star rating in the Euro NCAP safety rating in January. There will be a press launch of the Audi Q7 pretty soon. Do check out my IG and Snapchats this coming Thursday.

 

Check out the new groupie chat apps by Tap Get

Chat Group Hell: We’ve all been there – stuck in a chat group that you can’t leave because it’s either rude, FOMO on juicy gossip or just not wanting to be ‘that guy’ who leaves. What Time is a new app where you’ll never get stuck in an unwanted group and it keeps conversations on topic.

It’s a simple idea: rather than having chat groups that stay open forever and get easily flooded with multiple topics going on all at the same time, it would be better to chat in groups that:
A. Only exist for as long as they’re needed, and
B. Stay on topic.

Only existing for as long as they’re needed. Chat groups start with a timer counting down from 24:00 hours, new messages sent to the group will add a further 10 minutes, but eventually as the conversation ends it will reach 00:00 and the group is closed.

Staying on topic. Groups are based on what ‘time’ it is, such as: “It’s Party Time”, “It’s Coffee Time” or even “It’s Sexy Time” and chat along with shared photos scrolling along the background so everyone in the group knows what everyone else is talking about.

The world does not need another social-network but group chat could be better, Tap Get CEO Keeran Janin commented, ”Groups in apps like Whatsapp and Messenger already do a great job of keeping us close with family and friends – but overuse for the wrong events spoil the experience – so rather than create a whole new platform we made What Time as an alternative app to chat about short-lived events that works with your existing social networks”.

Currently What Time works with Facebook contacts, adding support for other networks is planned for future updates.

What I feel: This is an interesting and thoughtful app especially for those with multiple group chats and some may seem redundant and unnecessary after the event is over or simply the chat group has literally gone dead. It’s good to see Keeran coming up with new ideas to make life more convenient and hassle free and still make it relevant in our everyday lives. The app is up and running on IOS. I’ve tried it and so far, it’s a great idea. This app takes two (or many) to tango but once the party gets a hang of it, this is a solid way of communicating and I love the interface as well.

For Android users, you might have to wait for a stable version as it’s still on beta. I do hope the traction of users will increase over a course of time.

Keeran Janin, CEO of Tap Get, releasing his new app called What Time. This image three years ago when he won the best logo competition for National Day. Sorry buddy, I googled and this came out :p

Now you can chat with your closed friends interactively and the inbox clears itself

Also available for iWatch