BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

IN AN effort to garner a more knowledgeable frontline in the tourism industry about local customs and traditions, some 20 students from Sultan Saiful Rijal Technical College (MTSSR) yesterday embarked on an educational visit to the Department of Adat Istiadat, in the Lapau building in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Hjh Farhanah OKSW Hj Abdullah, Education Officer and Tourism Marketing teacher at MTSSR, told The Brunei Times that the educational visit was intended to expose the students to the customs that “we have here in Brunei, and matters relating to the customs, especially the royal traditions.”

He added that one day this knowledge will help them a great deal in the tourism industry when approaching or referring to high-profile people.

The students are currently in the final year of Travel and Tourism course.

During the two-and-a-half-year course, six months are dedicated to industrial attachment where the students work with travel agencies, airlines, or the Tourism Division under Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR).

Hjh Farhanah said: “The visit is important for the students as it will help them understand Bruneian customs and traditions better. During the course of their work, they can explain to foreign tourists about the role of customs and traditions play in the Bruneian society, especially Adat Istiadat.”

As the only college in Brunei that offers Travel and Tourism course, the MTSSR has to work very closely with the Tourism Division at MIPR, she said. “As ‘Kenali Negara Kitani’ (Know Our Country) is an initiative of the Tourism Division, it’s also our endeavour,” Hjh Farhanah added.

The Education Officer said that to keep in line with the nation’s stance on tourism industry, national core knowledge unit is part of the Travel and Tourism course at MTSSR. The unit deals with parts of the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) that are relevant to tourist attractions and highlights aspects that are important to tourists and Brunei’s unique culture.

During the visit, students were briefed on the functions and meaning of the ceremonial area within the Lapau building. The seating arrangement in the ceremonial area according to credentials and position was touched as well. The knowledge imparted during the first stage of the visit was in accordance with the department’s objective for the students’ visit: to recognise the features, and know the general function of the Lapau building, as stated in the programme given out by the department.

The students then proceeded to a conference room where they were briefed on the correct protocol for addressing high-profile people, and referring to oneself in the royal company.

The Brunei Times

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