By Sim YH –
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, NOV 20 – To commemorate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of the Philippines, the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines handed over a donation of books to the Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) in a ceremony held at the UTB Library Complex, today.
The ceremony, which highlighted the strong cultural and educational ties between the two countries, was attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Brunei Darussalam, Her Excellency Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio and the Vice Chancellor of UTB, Datin Paduka Professor Dr Hajah Zohrah binti Hajj Sulaiman.
Also present at the ceremony were representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education as well as key officials, staff and students of UTB.
In her welcome speech at the ceremony, Datin Paduka Professor Dr Hajah Zohrah stated the contribution of more than 50 titles, covering various subjects including history, culture, architecture, tourism and art.
He added that the books will enrich the learning experience of students, faculty and the community by fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Philippines’ extraordinary heritage.
The donation not only reflects the commitment of the embassy in strengthening educational relations but also strengthens the bond of friendship between the two countries.
Meanwhile, PYT Marian Jocelyn Tirol-Ignacio in her welcome speech emphasized the importance of fostering awareness, understanding and appreciating cultural diversity in promoting unity in ASEAN.
He expressed the hope that the Philippine Corner will be a cultural bridge that allows Bruneians to explore Philippine heritage while advancing efforts to raise ASEAN awareness.
The ceremony continued with the inauguration of the Philippine Corner with the handing over of donated books by PYT Marian Jocelyn Tirol-Ignacio to His Highness Professor Dr Hajah Zohrah.
The collection includes books on Philippine history, culture, literature and environmental studies that offer the UTB community an opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich heritage of the Philippines.
The initiative underscores the lasting friendship between the Philippines and Brunei, reaffirming the shared values of valuing culture, knowledge exchange and regional solidarity.