THE ELEVENTH PRINCESS RASHIDAH YOUNG NATURE SCIENTIST AWARD [PRYNSA-11] 

 
by Forestry Department

16 April 2009
 
16th April 2009 - The Forestry Department had successfully organized the awarding ceremony of the PRYNSA-11 at one of the leading hotel in the capital. Present as the Guest of Honour at the event was the royal patron of PRYNSA, HRH Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah binti Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah. Also present accompanying HRH Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah was HRH Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bulqiah. 

Upon arrival, Her Royal Highnesses were greeted by YB Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yahya bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar, Minister of Industry & Primary Resources; YM Dato Paduka Hj Hamdillah Hj Abd Wahab, Deputy Minister of Industry & Primary Resources; YM Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamid Hj Mohd Jaafar, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry & Primary Resources; YM Dayang Hjh Asmah binti Saman, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry & Primary Resources; Awg Haji Saidin Salleh, Director of Forestry cum Chairman of the Organizing Committee; Dr Grahaeme Henderson, the Managing Director of BSP Co Sdn Bhd as well as seniors officers and staff of the Forestry Department. 
   
The ceremony began with the recital of the Surah Al-Fatihah led by YDM Pehin Dato Hj Suhaili bin Hj Mohiddin and followed by a welcoming speech from Awg Hj Saidin Salleh, Director of Forestry, cum chairman of the Organizing Committee. In his speech he underscored the importance of human resources as an invaluable asset of a country to prosper both in term of economy & social development and contribution of PRYNSA in laying up the foundation for our young scientists and promoting competent human resources in the field of natural sciences. He also commended BSP Co Sdn Bhd for its continuous support and commitment in the implementation of PRYNSA since its early inception. 

 

Hj Saidin Salleh, Director of Forestry cum chairman of the organizing committee delivering his welcoming remarks at the event]. 
 
 Sayyidina Umar Al Khattab Secondary School of Lumapas with its project entitle “An assessment of stream qualities in Mukim Lumapas using macro-invertebrates as bio indicator” emerged as the champion of PRYNSA-11, bringing home a cash prize worth B$3,000.00, a challenge trophy, winning & individual trophies, all sponsored by BSP Co Sdn Bhd. The champion also walked away with a laptop and HSBC start-up saving account worth B$50.00 for each student, sponsored by HSBC as well as certificates of participation. 
 
 

Group photo of the champion with HRH Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah] 
 
Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Secondary School, Mentiri with its project “Leaf Litter Fauna” and Menglait Secondary School with its project “A comparative study of litter fauna between Kerangas forest and Acacia mangium forested areas”, emerged as the first & second runner-up, respectively. The first runner-up won B$2,000 in cash and the second runner-up won B$1,000 in cash. Both schools also received winning & individual trophies, sponsored by BSP Co Sdn Bhd; one laptop for each school as well as HSBC start-up savings account for each student worth $50, sponsored by HSBC; as well as certificates of participation.   

HRH Princess Hajah Rashidah also consented to receive a sponsorship from BSP Co Sdn Bhd for the PRYNSA-12 project in the sum of B$23,000.00 which was handed over by the Managing Director of BSP, Dr Grahaeme Henderson

 
 
Dr Grahaeme Henderson, Managing Director of BSP Co Sdn Bhd handed over a mock cheque in the sum of B$23,000 to HRH Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah, sponsorship for the PRYNSA-12 project]   
 
For PRYNSA-12, the judging committee received 18 project proposals submitted by secondary schools throughout the country and as usual only five schools were selected and will compete in the next PRYNSA. The five schools that made it through to the next round of PRYNSA are:
  1. Sayyidina Umar Al Khattab secondary school;
  2. PGGMB secondary school;
  3. Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam secondary school;
  4. Sekolah Ugama Arab Menengah Perempuan Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit;
  5. Sultan Hassan Bangar secondary school

The ceremony on the day ended with HRH Princess Hajah Rashidah consented to tour a mini exhibition put up by the PRYNSA-11 students. 

 
 
 
Forestry Department, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
Jalan Menteri Besar, Bandar Seri Begawan BB3910, Negara Brunei Darussalam