The Embassy of the United States of America in Brunei Darussalam donated a collection of books to the Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University (UNISSA) Library today as part of the launch of a new American Shelf at the UNISSA Library.
In a handover ceremony, the U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Ms. Emily Flecker, passed the collection of scholarly books relating to Islamic studies and Islam in the United States to the UNISSA Deputy Rector Dr Hj Mohammed Hussain bin Pehin Penyurat Hj Ahmad.
The UNISSA Deputy Rector welcomed the donation from U.S. Embassy. He further added that the donated books were a welcome addition to the library’s collection. In her remarks, Ms. Fleckner said, “We believe wholeheartedly in the lasting value of people-to-people connections, and our American facilitate that by providing a platform for cross-cultural understanding. Many of the books comprising this collection discuss the rich history of Islam in the United States and the enduring contributions of Muslim Americans to our nation.”
The event also featured a sharing session by Head of UNISSA Strategic Planning Unit and 2019 U.S.-ASEAN Fulbright Visiting Scholar Dr Md Hilmy Baihaqy bin Hj Awang Yusoff on his Fulbright experience at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This component highlights diverse education opportunities for Bruneian students in the United States.
The Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholar award is a scholarship program that enables university faculty members, government officials, NGO administrators and think tank professionals in ASEAN member nations to undergo scholarly or professional research in the United States for three to four months. The topic of research should touch on issues that are relevant and useful to member nations, and central to the U.S.-ASEAN relationship.