The Embassy of the United States of America in Brunei Darussalam, through its EducationUSA advising service, held a pre-departure orientation for all U.S.-bound students today at the Cesar Hall in Mulia Hotel Brunei in Kg. Anggerek Desa.
About 50 scholarship recipients and self-funded students who are preparing to travel to the United States to further their education, and their parents, attended the event. U.S. Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Her Excellency Caryn McClelland congratulated the students on their admission to several outstanding U.S. universities to pursue studies in a diverse range of disciplines.
“Many of you will be among the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, scientists, doctors, academics, and artists who will ensure a bright future for Brunei,” HE Ambassador McClelland said.
The Embassy’s Acting Political, Economic, and Consular Chief, Siree Allers, briefed students on the visa application process and COVID-19 guidelines. In addition, the outbound students interacted with current and returning students to learn more about their living and education experiences in the United States, including health, safety, and security on campus. Among the alumni and current students who attended the event were 14 visiting students from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, who are currently doing collaborative research with Universiti Brunei Darussalam under U.S. Fulbright Specialist, Dr. Rolf Mueller.
EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State network of over 430 international student advising centers in more than 175 countries and territories. The network promotes U.S. higher education to students around the world by offering accurate, comprehensive, and current information about opportunities to study at accredited post-secondary institutions in the United States.
Departing 2021 Fulbright scholars:
- Fulbright Foreign Student, David Liew Teck Voon, Master of Science in Sustainability Management at American University.
- U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholar, Norhayatunajibah Hj Kifli, Research on Big Data and Learning Analytics in Improving Student Retention and Success Rates: An ASEAN Perspective at Hawaii Pacific University
Brunei’s second cohort of Global UGRAD scholars will depart for their program this year:
- Izeyaan Idham Khalid, a Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) student will spend a semester at Saginaw Valley State University, Michigan.
- Aida Murad, a Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) student, will spend a semester at University of Missouri – St. Louis.
Returning Global UGRAD alumni from Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB):
- Shasha Nurqamarina Noorshari, Augustana University, South Dakota.
- Aalex Daniel Selavisi, St. Ambrose University, Iowa.
