Congratulations Hj Kamal Bahrin, Chevening Scholar 2010

Bandar Seri Begawan – The British High Commission together with the Centre for British Teachers Education Services (CfBT) yesterday awarded a Brunei Mathematics teacher the CfBT Chevening Scholarship that will see him take an MSc at the University of Sussex.

Hj Kamal Bahrin Jamal, a Maths teacher for the past six years at the Pengiran Jaya Negara Pg Hj Abu Bakar Secondary School in Belait, who is also Senior Master for Student Affairs and Assistant Head of the Mathematics Department will be taking an MSc in Mathematics for a year in Sussex.

“I was quite surprised as I didn’t have the confidence that I would get the scholarship,” Hj Kamal told the Bulletin. “Maybe they saw something that I didn’t see in myself”

He said that during the interview for the scholarship, he was asked on what he had contributed to the school so far. “I guess they took an interest in the project that I have done so far in the school,” said Hj Kamal. “To the other teachers, I’d just like to say, `Try your best and apply for the scholarship. Don’t let intimidation stop you.'”

The Chevening Scholarships are part of Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office programme that awards professionals with high potential to a prestigious award scheme for postgraduates.

The programme was launched in Brunei in 1998 during a State visit by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. So far, 32 Bruneians have received the scholarships. CfBT have been co-funding the scholarships since 2004.

This year’s Chevening Scholarship for Hj Kamal is fully funded by the centre. — Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

More at the British High Commission in Brunei website.