Convergence 2011. From Success to Significance

The first youth-led leadership forum, targeting Brunei’s Next generation – Convergence, took place at the BMW Showroom in Beribi Industrial Area last night, attended by over 100 invited guests ranging from students, fresh-graduates, entrepreneurs, visionary executives, innovators and members from the Local creative industry.

The forum, the first of its kind to be held here, aimed to “inspire, challenge and motivate” its participants with a dinner dialogue led by three influential individuals, the Special Education Officer from the Ministry of Education, Nor Ali Yusop; Former Deputy Minister of Industry and Resources who is now a local entrepreneur with interests across a number of industries, Dato Paduka Hj Hamdillah Hj Abd Wahab; and Chief Executive Officer and Head of Consumer Banking for Standard Chartered Bank Brunei, Lai Pei-Si.

The theme of the Convergence Forum – ‘From Success to Significance’, saw the three panellists speak on various topics including a topic worth to ponder upon – ‘Stepping out of your comfort zone: What have you got to lose?’. The panellists each had a story to share regarding the risks they have taken either personally or professionally to show participants that there are some risks worth taking.

Dato Paduka Hj Hamdillah during the forum shared his story from his early beginnings of his career, until his windfall of holding various high-ranking posts in multi-disciplinary areas both in the private sector and the government. He was the Managing Director for Brunei Shell, and his last Government Post was as a Deputy Minister and now, he thrives as a local entrepreneur. He shared many interesting insights and views about his life within his career span, and on how he had to overcome and endure challenges during the course and how it has made him who he is today.

Lai Pei-Si, on the other hand, had also had a few interesting stories to share. Being in the banking industry for more than 10 years and having to move to Brunei from Singapore just early this year with her family, participants were curious on how the successful mother can balance her work, life and family.

Nor Ali, who lost his vision a number of years ago also shared an inspiring story of how a visually impaired person can contribute to the society and also succeed. He also shared on the challenges he had to overcome after being diagnosed as visually impaired and how he adapted to it until today.

The floor was also open to all participants to ask questions at the end of the forum.

Hosted by the people behind, ProjekBrunei.com with Delwin Keasberry in his capacity as the organiser of Convergence, the event last night proved to be a very valuable experience for all the participants.

One of the participants, Ak Danny Pg Tajuddin, Employee Banking Relationship Manager at Standard Chartered Bank said, “This is a great event. Well done to Delwin and his team for this great job! It is inspiring and at the same time motivating to listen to the stories shared by the distinguished speakers who come from different backgrounds. It shows that wherever you are from, you still need to work hard to earn money and as salary earners, we should not take it for granted – save money if you can.”

The dialogue last night was sponsored by QAF Auto Sdn Bhd – BMW, Standard Chartered Bank, The Brunei Hotel and supported by the Brunei Halal brand and the Borneo Bulletin as the exclusive media partner for the event.

Delwin last night thanked everyone and the sponsors for making Convergence possible and said there will be more similar events in the future. He will also come up with a full-fledged report on last night’s forum event, which will be published soon.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin