`WADAH PERPUSTAKAAN
bruneilibraryassociation.wordpress.com
Bil.4
April 2013
ISSN 1609-4271
NATIONAL READING CONFERENCE
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Deputy Sultan in a sabda, emphasized reading culture as a fundamental
pillar in lifelong learning, intellectual growth and development. Therefore, His Royal Highness called
on all stakeholders to be able to enhance and strengthen the culture of reading because reading is a
building tool for enriching knowledge, strengthening the mind and maturity of action.
His Royal Highness also urged that ongoing studies be undertaken to improve the literacy rate in this
country to reach one hundred percent. His Royal Highness was speaking at the Opening Ceremony of
the National Conference on Empowering Reading Culture 2013 in the morning. The ceremony took
place at Rizqun International Hotel, Gadong.
The National Conference on Empowering Reading Culture with the theme "Reading Empowers the
Nation" which is being held for the first time, was jointly organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth
and Sports, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Brunei Darussalam Library
Association. Upon arrival at the hotel, His Royal Highness was greeted by the Minister of Culture,
Youth and Sports, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji
Hazair.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and doa selamat led by Yang Berhormat
Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Awang Hj Yahya.
The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, in his welcoming address, said the conference aims to
uphold His Majesty's Titah on the importance of knowledge in the development of the country as
well as to realize the National Vision 2035 and support the implementation of the National
Education System of 21st Century. Yang Berhormat added that the conference also aims to raise
awareness on the importance of reading, to make a reading and library-friendly community a
culture, as well as to increase literacy-related knowledge and experience among librarians,
educators, student and the public. It is also to improve the skills and professionalism in Brunei
Darussalam by sharing experience and best practices with countries which have achieved excellence
in the realization of reading culture in their community.
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Wadah Perpustakaan Bil.4 April 2013
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