Crown prince consented to officiate the launch of the UBD Convo festival

The 2009 Convo Festival in conjunction with the 21st Convocation of Universiti Brunei Darussalam, UBD, aims to bring forth new approaches with its theme of: "UBD Can! Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" for the launching of the University's Green Project". His Royal Highness Prince Dr Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, who is also the Pro-Chancellor of UBD, consented to officiate the launch of the festival. Upon arrival at the Chancellor Hall of UBD, His Royal Highness was greeted by the Minister of Education, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Rahman, who is the Chairman of the UBD Council and the Vice-Chancellor of UBD, Doctor Haji Zulkarnain bin Haji Hanafi. The UBD Vice Chancellor, in his welcoming address, stated that the university's Green Project included various initiatives that are designed to protect and conserve the environment as well as to encourage sustainable development which the UBD authorities hoped would be practised constantly by the university's population and the surrounding community. His Royal Highness, then consented to launch the UBD Convo Festival. The "UBD Green Project" is an initiative aimed at supporting government and private agencies at national, regional and international levels towards maintaining and protecting a clean and quality environment without sacrificing the interests of future generations. To bless the ceremony, a doa selamat was read by Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar. His Royal Highness then consented to view an exhibition based on the concept of greenery put up by government agencies, the private sector and various non-government organisations. The exhibition acts as a mechanism that could raise awareness and knowledge on the importance of protecting the environment. His Royal Highness also consented to informally interact with UBD's staff and students. Towards realising the objective of a green UBD campus, the project focuses on awareness of environmental challenges and how to provide the whole UBD community with knowledge, skills and understanding in decision-making by taking into account enviromental, social and economic implications. Before departing, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince consented to plant a tree. The 21st UBD Convocation will be held on the 31st of this month at the Chancellor Hall. In line with the University's motto - Towards a wholesome individual - the UBD Green Project aims to develop individuality to achieve the university's mission and vision to produce graduates of global mentality with an essence of the Malay Islamic Monarchy philosophy. The Convo Festival will remain open to the public from today until the 7th of next month.