Post-grad

Goodbye 2009

Those days are long gone, but we will forever treasure our fond memories together.

Epic Frequency Debut

The Havoc Reunion

Students do their part to protect environment

Environment conservation: BIBD's Rafiuddin Ghazali (R) receiving a mock cheque from principal of Maktab Duli Hjh Saroja Hj Siau (C), while Dk Farah Amirah (L), member of the Environmentally Friendly Club, looks on.

A GROUP of environmentally concerned students from Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College (Maktab Duli) made a contribution to protect the environment by participating in a tree planting project to restore the forests of Brunei.

The group of students, who call themselves the Environmentally Friendly Club (EFC), has been involved in running several projects on environment conservation, including recycling campaigns and alternative packaging.

Two days ago, The club contributed $890 to Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) in support of the drive to restore the trees in Badas which were lost a decade ago to forest fires.

"The Million Trees Project under BIBD is one of our latest project we are involved in right now and has been a great success," said Dk Farah Amirah Pg Hj Redzuan, one of the club members.

She said that from August 17 to September 9, the club has been going around the school asking for contributions and set up a booth in front of the library as a main collection point where students and teachers could contribute to save the environment. "Although the initial target was to collect $1,000, the club has collected a total of $890 within three weeks, which is a good start."

Dk Farah expressed her concerns towards the forests in Brunei which led to the club's aspiration to initiate the project.

"Brunei may have a lot of trees, but at the same time we should also be aware of the trees that have been lost by forest fires over the past decade. This can cause an impact in our survival."

She added: "The average person produces 9,000kg of carbon dioxide (CO2) per annum. The average rainforest tree absorbs 20kg of CO2 per annum, so we need 450 trees in order to convert CO2 into oxygen for us to breathe in everyday. That's 450 trees per head!"

"Hopefully, the club will continue to pursue such projects. The experiences throughout the whole drive have certainly contributed to the realisation of the need to save the environment," said Dk Farah.

"On behalf of the club, we would like to thank BIBD for giving us the opportunity to play a role in the project, to our teachers for their support and encouragement and to members of the club for the efforts they put in to the whole drive."

The restoration of the forests, known as the Badas 50,000 Trees Project, is an initiative by ISB's Million Trees Project in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry & Primary Resources to replant trees at the Badas Forest Reserve, Kuala Belait. The project is also in support of the Heart of Borneo initiative, where the target is to plant 50,000 Agathis Bornensis trees by October 31, 2009.

In cooperation with International School Brunei's Million Trees Project, BIBD is pledging to raise funds for the Badas Trees Project.

"BIBD is committed in raising awareness on the impact of climate change among Bruneians, and through this project, we welcome interested contributors to donate for the tree-planting cause," said BIBD's Corporate Social Responsibilities Treasury Rafiuddin Ghazali.

He added: "The cost of planting one tree at Badas is at $5, and our target is to plant 4,000 trees for this project. So far we have managed to garner a collection worth of 1,400 trees right now, and we look forward to the planting ceremony in October in Badas once we reach our mark."

Maktab Duli became the first school in Brunei to be involved in the project under BIBD.

Breathing New Air

The band is three years old this year, and we have evolved in our style and performances so much. Now that each of us have our own commitments, we've to really juggle up time between work and practices for gigs (which have also been pretty scarce as of late).

A Special Surprise Song For The Bride

Congratulations to Syazwan and Mala on their wedding last weekend.

Slides From Our Graduation Night

For those who have either missed watching the slides I've compiled for our graduation night held last night, or wish to relive the memories again, you can watch it here in all its glory. (Thank you iMovie and YouTube).

Now that my colleagues and I have graduated, we are entering a whole new journey, with new challenges and opportunities that awaits us in our doorsteps. Our future is brighter now. But we will forever cherish the moments my colleagues and I spent together since our first day we set foot in The Business School.

The ITB Convocation

Present to deliver the certificates to the graduates was His Highness The Crown Prince.
Now it's these guys' turn to graduate. The 18th Convocation for the Brunei Institute of Technology was held yesterday where the graduation for the higher national diploma students from ITB took place. Among those who graduated for their HND this year were a few of my former super seniors from The Business School as well as old friends of mine who I had not seen for many long years. HND, now those are huge achievements. Well done you guys, and congrats on your big day.


The few familiar faces


The joy on their faces after the ceremony

The Ultimate Foodie Bloggers Challenge

The Ultimate Foodie Blogger Challenge was held at the lovely home of Seńor Pablo in Rimba last Sunday 26th April. The local bloggers showcased their finest cuisines and let the guests be the judge. When it comes to food, who could resist? We came, we saw, we conquered (and we voted, of course). More info of last weekend's feast at Seńor Pablo's blog.


The winner, Reeda Malik of Anakbrunei.org, garnered the highest vote for his Quick & Dirty Lamb.

A New Beginning

A week has passed since our convocation. A day which I would remember for the rest of my life. Everything's good now, having realized that I, along with my fellow colleagues are now among the ranks of those who have graduated before us.

One day we're gonna look back and recall the joyous times of our lives during our youth, and this is just one of them. This is graduation, the most glorious day for students, a time for a final reunion with our fellow comrades who we have been together for years, and a time to celebrate the end of our education course.

After the showdown with our final exams and wrapping up with our industrial attachments, its obvious that we deserve this joyous day. It is the moment when we all sing our last song. I never thought that I could actually experience such a meaningful day, due to the hiccups I've gone through many long years back. Though I'm glad that, as one of the students of Technical Education, (despite not as grandeur as the HND's or the Uni's), I get to be with my friends that I've studied with since 2005, adorned in our convo attire and recieving our honorary certificates on stage which are highly valuable to us all. All the hard years have really paid off.

Looking back, its hard to imagine how life would've been if I didn't actually take that first step to continue my education. I guess I wouldn't be where I am now, and I wouldn't be making great friends along the way. Best of all, with our achievements as a national diploma graduate, we are worth much more now compared to the day we first started taking the course. Our chances of employment and further studies just got better and brighter; its just a matter of taking that next course of action. We are smarter, more mature and experienced than ever before, and we will use these knowledge and experience we gained over the years for our survival and sustenance. Whatever opportunities that lie ahead, we're ready to take them.

As this chapter ends, a new chapter in our lives begin. Yet we will always remember this meaningful day as the checkpoint of our lives, and most importantly, our friendship we treasure for many years. 22nd April 2009 was a fine day to graduate!

A Night With A Band Once

It was pretty brief, but the mini-concert exclusively featuring our local entertainers A Band Once which lasted for only less than an hour was worth it. The mini-concert was held last night at the Jerudong Park colonnade (formerly the old simulator ride). The band performed their hits as well as a few popular numbers that entertain the crowd who came to watch their favorite band perform live.

Graduation 09

Cause these are the days worth living,
These are the years we're given,
And these are the moments,
These are the times,
Let's make the best out of our lives.

Moment of Appreciation

I got to see my seniors going through their graduation ceremony over the years and it has been really exciting to witness the joy in their faces during their big day. And now, it has finally come to us. The years as Students of The Business School are over, it is a time to reward ourselves for our achievements and years of dedication in the college. To think that in the early days I wanted to graduate so badly, and now I still couldn't realize the fact that the very day is finally here! 3 years sure felt short whenever I think about it.

But most importantly, aside from all the hugs and apologies each of us will go through later after the convocation wraps up, I shouldn't forget to give out appreciative thanks to those that matters to me as well. In light of this joyous event, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone who have given us all the support throughout our years in The Business & Finance / Secretarial course at The Business School, from the beginning of our enrollment in 2005 up to the end of our Industrial Attachment at the end of 2008.

First and foremost, Syukur alhamdulillah to the great almighty Allah S.W.T. for our answered prayers over the years that led to us where we are now,

Greatest thanks to our parents, to mum and dad for all their support from the very beginning till this very day,

Special thanks to all our tutors of The Business School, for all their teachings, guidance and advices. We wouldn't be who we are now without them.

• to Ms Nur Sham, one of the greatest teachers I've ever known, your teachings and advice will be with us for many years.
• to Ms Eton, you have given us so much opportunities for the best of us.
• to mr cool Sir Fadzil, keep rockin! (hehehe)
• to Sir Iswandi, so many useful insights you have shared, very much appreciated
• to Ms Nelia, who never gave up giving us the motivation to strive towards success in our education
  
• to Ms Zaiton for all the wiseful advice and generous support to make us a better person we are now
• to Sir Saiful, for all the help, internal and externally
• to Mr Masaaki for the statistics (sorry I've been a bad boy in class)
• to Ms Pg Shikin, it's been great working with you on the Newsletter
• to Ms Hazwani, who have worked so hard to get us through the attachments and job opportunities
• to Ms Shikin, our group coordinator (ND/12)
• to Ms Susi, who believed in all of us
• To Ms Tan, your teachings in accounts has given me a boost in confidence
• to Sir Habib, the coolest principal on the planet
• to the rest who I have not mentioned: Ms Matul, Sir Fuji, Ms Siti, Ms Liza, Ms Nuraida, Ms Sharipah, Ustaz Khairi (papa john), Ms Precy, Ms Ann, Sir Abu (bro~), and all the new tutors that I didn't get the chance to get acquainted.

To my friends:

• my buddy Helmy, for helping me get through my course of life and who has given me hope
• Wazzie, Qids and Tooi; getting to know all of you lead me to my enrollment in The Business School, and the lepaks at KPT
• CB, for tagging along with the enrollment, at least I didn't feel alone for the first week
• Hj Khairul, for your guidance and support through the years
  

to my seniors:

• Sylvan Cade, my super senior who I'm still keeping in touch and collaborate in our common interest
  
• Sai the legend, who has given me the opportunity to be in a band throughout my time in school
• Kamal, who both of us have become bros
• Jai, it's been great hanging out with you during those stressful times
• Syimah, for helping me with the accountings
• Yamin, Shaari and gsyuk, the role models
• Adib, for all the late night chills and jamming moments

to all my classmates of ND/BNF/12, who we've spent 2 years together in that one classroom,


to the rest of my friends of ND/11, ND/13 and the Secretarials, who we strived together from the beginning till the end:

• Ain and Fizzy, the ones who I could always count on the most
• Rena, for leading us through our success and survival
• Pengky, for livening up the PD days
• my cousin Dee who has annoyed me for years, it has been fun and exciting really, what would I do without you eh?
• the Havoc Photogs Marriz and Cybercanon, it was there in The Business School where our passion in photography was born and cultivated
• my fellow team members of Aura, it's been fun working with you guys
• Essa for all the crazy unforgettable times
• Ezam, Akee and Ili, though they won't be joining us, there have been things that I've been grateful to them

to Edi Farhan for giving me a heads up during my brief jobless times,

to all my juniors after me, getting to know you all has been a delightful experience,

and to all my friends who i've known externally throughout my time in the Business School, thank you ever so much for everything!


Farewell Business School, till we meet again.

The Raptai

One more day. That's how excited we feel right now, knowing the fact that our big day tomorrow signifies the end of our course in The Business School. 22nd of April will be the day that we've all been waiting for after years of sitting in class and working on assignments with our group of friends back in campus. Sometimes it's hard to believe that we're already here, the last day of our time as national diploma students.


Today was the rehearsal for tomorrow's convocation ceremony at The International Convention Centre, and we were all lined up adorned with our graduation attire which we have all prepared with anticipation. We were given guidelines on the protocol for tomorrow's ceremony. I took this opportunity to grab my camera along, knowing that I won't be able to carry anything with me prior to receiving my certificate on stage.




Mus (Dineyfoto) was there and he was happy to take pictures of us during the raptai.

We Meet Again

Earlier today was our Convocation Briefing held at MTSSR where we were given details and instructions for our upcoming graduation day on the 22nd of April. Over 900 students who have completed their courses attended the convo briefing at the Multi-Purpose Hall which made our group from The Business School seem quite a few. We are a rather small family. I was already very excited about today as I was able to meet up with my friends who most of them I haven't seen for months since the end of our industrial attachment.


As what was briefed, the convocation will be held at the Plenary Hall of the International Convention Centre in the morning of Wednesday, where we will be wearing our graduation attire which will consist of a formal black cara melayu for the men and black baju kurung for the ladies. There will be a rehearsal on the 21st. We only have 2 weeks left before the big day. Soon we will only be known as the former students of The Business School who have liven up the college from 2005 to 2008.


The strapping boys. They've grown so fast, haven't they?


The bff's


The Secretarials, together again


Reunited with close friends


They really miss each other so much. LOL

As We Go On...

2 more weeks baby yeah....

Countdown To Convocation '09

PD/BNF/02, graduated in 2006
It's already been set. My colleagues and I will graduate next month and the Convocation will be held in ICC on the 23rd of April. I'm so excited now, coz this is indeed the moment I've been waiting for after all these years. I still couldn't believe that its close to the end of our course already, and 2005 still feels like yesterday. To think that I wanted this to happen so fast back when we were still sitting in campus.

We've gone through many challenges, passed so many obstacles, and for 4 long years we've endured all that. We made friends, we formed assignment groups, we held gatherings and events, we went through the pain and hardship together, and we made it to the end together. We remained friends until today, and we will forever cherish the moments we've spent together in the Business School since Day 1. And now, its time for us to graduate and move on, as new challenges and opportunities awaits us in our doorsteps. As one journey ends, another begins.

In light of this upcoming event, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who have given us all the support throughout the years of studying in The Business School for our National Diploma in Business & Finance. Our parents, instructors, friends, seniors, juniors, colleagues and of course, the Almighty. Our future has become a brighter one and we hope to take it further to the next level. See ya at the convo!

Inspired By a True Story

This is just one of the latest local film projects created by the talented guys at Visual Dimensions Entertainment. They've made an excellent effort in creating a buzz in YouTube and the local scene. The moral of the story: live below your means. LOL

The Group Behind The February KL Trip

F#%#^%@ I'm NOT in this picture!!!
Time and time again, I always ended up not being in the group photos, well, for obvious reasons (duhh ~). Anyway, here's the group that I went to KL with last month; Khyrul, Dijah, Gboy, Fahmi, Buzz and Khyreen. It was a fun-filled trip. They've enjoyed the shopping and sightseeing, while I had my own fun with all the street photoshoots. Our last day in Sunway Lagoon was perhaps the most exciting one as we totally experienced our breakaway from all the years of studying and celebrate our upcoming graduation and career ahead of us. In fact, we wished the rest who couldn't join us were there to enjoy it.