BIBD welcomes 11th Intake and Celebrates Academic Excellence in ALAF Programme
- ALAF, Community, Featured
Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) welcomed the 11th intake of students into the BIBD ALAF (Advocating Life-Long Learning for an Aspiring Future) programme, the Bank’s flagship CSR initiative which advocates for educational empowerment and community development.
In the 2023 Academic Year, 31 students joined the BIBD ALAF programme, comprising 24 primary school students and 7 secondary school students.
Present as Guest of Honour at the event was Yang Berhormat Dato Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Minister of Finance and Economy II, and Chairman of BIBD. Among those present were Permanent Secretaries, senior government officials, personnel from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Religious Affairs, and management and representatives from BIBD. BIBD’s Managing Director and CEO, Awang Junaidi bin Haji Masri, was also in attendance.
BIBD also celebrated the outstanding achievements of 78 BIBD ALAF students who excelled in public examinations during the 2023 academic year. These students have demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to their studies, embodying the values and goals of the BIBD ALAF programme.
Additionally, two BIBD ALAF students have signed agreements to become ALAF Scholars, paving the way for them to attend university under the support of the BIBD ALAF programme. Muhammad Masnur Alimin Hisyam bin Masri and Mohammad Firdaus bin Mohd Salleh will be pursuing their studies in Bachelors of Mechanical Engineering and Bachelors of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Heritage in Fiqh and Usul Al-Fiqh respectively, at the International Islamic University in Malaysia. This agreement marks a significant milestone in their academic journey, underscoring BIBD’s commitment to supporting the educational aspirations of students from targeted segments and promoting lifelong learning.
In 2020, the programme celebrated its first student to pursue studies in the United Kingdom. Continuing this tradition of excellence, earlier this year, one student was awarded the prestigious BIBD ALAF Scholars Award to pursue a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) at Monash University, Australia, one of the top 50 universities worldwide.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and Brunei Vision 2035, the BIBD ALAF programme exemplifies BIBD’s dedication to promoting quality education and lifelong learning. The initiative supports SDG Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all. By collaborating closely with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Religious Affairs, BIBD ensures that students from all socioeconomic backgrounds are given the opportunities to succeed. This Whole of Nation approach underscores BIBD’s efforts in community building, inclusivity, and providing support to children from targeted segments.
The BIBD ALAF programme, launched in 2013, provides comprehensive support to students from targeted segments in Brunei, including financial assistance, mentorship, and training. This initiative aligns with BIBD’s dedication to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Brunei Vision 2035, focusing on producing a highly skilled and well-educated workforce through the promotion of lifelong learning.
