20th ISB BGIC officially launched

Friday, 25th October 2024 – Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman launched the 20th International School Brunei Borneo Global Issues Conference (ISB BGIC) today during an opening ceremony at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas.

The event began with an opening address by Mr. Dominic Morley, Executive Principal and CEO of ISB, welcoming attendees to the ceremony.

The keynote addresses of the conference’s theme ‘Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education – How can we ensure that inclusive and equitable education supports sustainable development?’ were then delivered by guest speakers Hon. Dr Stuart Lawrence, an Award-winning Motivational & Public Speaker; and Ms. Linda Cruse, a leadership expert, international frontline humanitarian and Founder of Race4Good.

Following the keynote addresses, Her Royal Highness delivered a sabda before officially opening the conference.

Her Royal Highness then presented certificates of participation to representatives from 23 schools attending the conference – 21 schools from Brunei Darussalam and two overseas schools from Japan and Malaysia.

Her Royal Highness also presented mementos to sponsors and supporters. The 20th ISB BGIC was organised by International School Brunei with conference partners the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Education. The event is sponsored by Golden Tree sponsors Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd and Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam; Silver Leaf sponsor Brunei LNG Sdn Bhd; Bronze Earth sponsors Dynamik Technologies Sdn Bhd, Brunei Fertilizer Industries Sdn Bhd, CFBT Education Services (B) Sdn Bhd and Imagine Sdn Bhd; and in-kind sponsors Aewon Garment & Embroidery, TLT Enterprise, D’Sunlit Sdn Bhd, Interhouse Company, Air Cat Logistics Sdn Bhd, and Brunei Press Sdn Bhd. The 20th ISB BGIC is also supported by Green Brunei and the Prime Minister’s Office in conjunction with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Youth Camp.

Her Royal Highness was then presented with a memento by Mr. Dominic Morley to show ISB’s deep gratitude for consenting to grace the opening ceremony.

In attendance at the opening ceremony were members of the ISB Board of Directors Mr. Nicholas King, Deputy Board Chairman; Haji Rashid Abdul Razak; Mr. Roy David Kurian; Ms. Sharon Tan; Mr. Jorge Francisco Vega; and Hajah Nor Ashikin Haji Johari, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; Mr. Wong Chin Toon; as well as ISB’s General Manager, Ms. Vienna Law.

The event also saw the attendance of invited foreign dignitaries, school officials, and student representatives.

ISB BGIC is an annual student-led Model United Nations style conference where participants represent countries to address various views on current, real-world issues. This initiative is aimed at the development of students’ understanding of global citizenship and critical skills in research, public speaking, and negotiation.

Following today’s opening ceremony, the 20th ISB BGIC will be taking place at the ICC in Berakas from 25th-27th October 2024 with keynote speaker sessions, committee discussions, and the General Assembly.

This year’s ISB BGIC marks a key milestone, as it has the added significance of being the 20th edition of the conference and is also taking place in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of ISB, marking six decades of inclusive academic excellence.