Reception at the Embassy of Japan to Kick-Start BAJA’s 30th Anniversary Year

　　The Brunei Association of Japan Alumni (BAJA) will celebrate its 30th anniversary later this year. To kick-start such a commemorative year, the Embassy of Japan hosted a reception at the Ambassador’s residence on 7th March. The Ambassador of Japan, Madam Noriko Iki stated in her speech that the BAJA is an indispensable partner for Japan to enhance the relationship between Brunei and Japan and that she is grateful for their continuing support to the Embassy of Japan in Brunei. She also said that the Embassy of Japan will continuously support their activities.

　　Dr Chin Wei Keh, President of the BAJA responded by saying that he would also like to continue the close relationship with the Embassy of Japan to increase the numbers of Bruneians studying as well as attending cultural exchange programmes in Japan. He also announced that BAJA will develop a video to showcase the milestones of BAJA and its alumni members over the last 30 years and there will be a ceremonial event in August, to commemorate the occasion of the 30th anniversary.

　　Participation at the reception was not only from the BAJA members, but also Japanese companies in Brunei such as the Mitsubishi Cooperation, Brunei Methanol Company, Tobishima Corporation and VAM®BRN SDN BHD. “I would like to support the initiative to combine the BAJA members with the Japanese companies currently in Brunei as well as potential Japanese companies who may operate in Brunei in the future,” said Ambassador Iki. “I sometimes hear that it is difficult to find competent Bruneians who can speak Japanese and who are also familiar with Japanese culture. When Japanese companies are looking for potential Bruneian employees to work in their companies, I would like to be able to introduce the BAJA as an organisation where these human resources are available here in Brunei.”

　　As a network of Bruneian individuals who have studied in Japan for at least six months, BAJA was founded in 1986 by Pg Setia Negara Pg Yusof bin Pg Hj Abdul Rahim, who is now BAJA’s Patron for life and Dr Chin Yam Chin is BAJA Advisor for life. http://baja.org.bn/