NINE FILIPINO MUSLIM SCHOLARS COMPLETE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IN BRUNEI; READY AND COMMITTED TO PROMOTE PEACE THROUGH EDUCATION

09 January 2008 - Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Virginia H. Benavidez reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that nine Filipino Muslim Scholars, namely: Lomala L. Macadaub, Aga-Khan D. Abubacar, Alivic B. Bilon, Alhasin G. Muhajil, Zaidali A. Maguindara, Abdulmiad A. Adjiruddin, Moctar D. Bato, Lucman L. Manupac, and Rahmatol M. Mamukid, successfully completed their Certificate in Teaching Arabic as a Second Language Program at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) last December.

On 5 January 2008, the scholars received their certificates of attendance from the Acting Vice Chancellor of UBD, Dr. Haji Junaidi Rahman at the UBD Chancellor’s Hall. 

In her speech during the ceremony, Ambassador Benavidez thanked the Brunei Government particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ministry of Education and Universiti Brunei Darussalam for making it possible for the second intake of scholars from Mindanao to avail themselves of the program.  She added that “there is much to gain from Brunei’s successful experience in integrating Islamic teachings with the standard curriculum.  Brunei’s moderate Islamic teachings stand as a distinctive model for religious instruction for the benefit of our Muslim countrymen back home.”

Ambassador Benavidez said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has been keenly monitoring this project which is part of her continuing efforts, to upgrade the human resources’ capabilities and skills of Filipino Muslims.  The President has been working tirelessly to improve the quality of education in Southern Philippines as an integral part of the overall roadmap for development in Mindanao.

The Philippines’ own Madrasah Program, which was launched in 2004, was mainly inspired by the Brunei model. Following the Brunei system, some Philippine public schools implementing the Madrasah Program have already included Islamic values and Arabic language in the public school curriculum.

“We are therefore fortunate to have a new group of graduates who will be able to infuse new knowledge and experience into ongoing efforts at implementing and improving our Madrasah Program,” Ambassador Benavidez added.

Ambassador Benavidez reminded the scholars that the success of this program will be measured both by their ability and readiness to apply what they have learned and experienced at UBD to further improve the Madrasah education in the Philippines.

Scholar Lucman Manupac, in his address, thanked the Brunei Government for coming up with the program that has provided them with knowledge, skills and strategies for teaching Arabic language and Islamic values and in school administration. “We are ready to share our knowledge and experience with our fellow teachers back home,” he added.

On 7 January 2007, Ambassador Benavidez hosted a farewell dinner for the scholars at the “Ang Bahay,” Philippine Ambassador’s residence.  UBD Vice-Chancellor Dato Dr. Haji Ismail Duraman, senior UBD officials and officials of the Filipino Muslim community in Brunei attended the dinner.  During the dinner, Ambassador Benavidez reiterated her gratitude to the UBD officials for supporting the Madrasah scholarship program. Dato Dr. Haji Ismail said UBD is committed to assisting the Philippines in improving its education system for the Muslims.

The impact of the scholarship program will soon be felt as some scholars are scheduled to conduct echo training workshops on Madrasah education in May. The workshop will focus on the effective methodologies for teaching Islamic values and Arabic language in public schools.  UBD Vice-Chancellor and officials were impressed by the scholars’ sustained efforts to apply immediately what they have learned in UBD and invited them to speak and share about their experience in the Philippines in a UBD conference to be held in Bandar Seri Begawan sometime in May. END

/wingret

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