His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday said His Majesty’s Government will always give priority to education as an investment to produce knowledgeable and skilled human resources, with the quality of trustworthiness, integrity and visionary.

His Majesty was delivering a titah at a get-together ceremony with citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam who are currently in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland at the Hilton on Park Lane Hotel, London, United Kingdom which was also attended by Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam.

Accompanying Their Majesties to the ceremony were His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah; and Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah.

His Majesty advised the students to increase their knowledge through formal means, and at the same time to be proactive in developing other competencies in shaping their character through co-curriculum activities and capacity building programmes.

His Majesty reminded, besides academic excellence, other aspects such as leadership and the steadfastness of personality to be made into consideration for the relevant parties that offer government’s scholarships.

His Majesty also advised the students to be wise in weighing and evaluating the diversity of cultures and lifestyles abroad, without neglecting their religion, identity and their mother tongue, which are the pride of our nation.

His Majesty congratulated the students who had completed their studies this year. His Majesty hoped their success would be a catalyst for future excellence and would also be an inspiration for other students.

In closing the titah, His Majesty prayed for the well-being of the students and officers and may they always be in the protection of Allah the Almighty.

Their Majesties then proceeded to meet and greet more than 1,800 citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam who are in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, comprising students, government officials as well as those on vacation. The ceremony also featured a nasyid performance. Earlier at the hotel, Their Majesties were greeted by High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to the United Kingdom Pengiran Hajah Rooslina Weti binti Pengiran Haji Kamaludin, as well as President and Vice-President of the Brunei Students’ Union in the United Kingdom and Eire Awangku Mohammad Hisyam Al-Yura bin Pengiran Haji Zainal Abidin and Dayangku Nurin Nabeela binti Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar.

Their Majesties then proceeded to the Wellington Ballroom for a High Tea Reception with the students’ representatives, and then to view a Research Exhibition presented by Brunei Postgraduate Society (BPS) 2019/2020, before proceeding to the Grand Ballroom for the get-together ceremony.

The ceremony began with the recitation of verses from Al-Quran by Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohammad Rafee from the Queen Mary University of London, while the translation was read by Ahmad Zakwan bin Haji Mohammad Salleh from the Imperial College London.

A Doa Selamat was then recited by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned. The ceremony continued with a welcoming address by the President of the Brunei Students’ Union in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, on behalf of all the students, among others presented the theme of this year’s event, ‘Progressive Students, Upholding the King’s Vision’, which is a commitment and determination of all the students to always be viable, creative, innovative and progressive in supporting and realising His Majesty’s vision.