Four Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) students travelled to Japan from 11 to 18 December 2022 to participate in the “JBFA Annual Study Tour for Bruneian Students in Japan 2022” organised by the Japan-Brunei Friendship Association (JBFA).
The students include Dayang Nur Alifah Amira binti Haji Abu Bakar, recent graduated student of UTB, BBus (Hons) in Marketing and Information System; Awang Daren Tang Jia Xien, fourth-year student from BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering; Awang Lim Zhi Jian @ Nathan, fourth-year student from BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering; and Awang Muhammad Aminin bin Haji Azlan, third-year student BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering. The students were accompanied by Yang Mulia Hajah Rohayati binti Haji Awang Damit, Assistant Manager, Business Relations, Mitsubishi Corporation, Brunei Liaison Office.
The purpose of the trip was to visit the Tokyo Gas Saodegaura Terminal and learn how the imported gas from the Sultanate is being utilised in Japan. According to Nathan, the visit offered them a better understanding of the processes through the experiments demonstrated during the visit and the tour around the terminal.
They also paid a visit to Rikkyo University, where they had a cultural exchange with Rikkyo University Tourism students, in which the students brought Brunei traditional game specifically Congkak and dry kueh, promoting Brunei’s cultures.
They also visited the Digital Innovation Center in Auzuwakamatsu City in Fukushima Prefecture, University of Aizu and the Brunei Embassy in Japan.
The students learnt how to make washi at Ozuwashi and were also invited to a welcoming dinner with Ms. Tetsuko Egawa, the General Manager of Brunei LNG, Business Division of Mitsubishi Corp & Secretary General, Director of JBFA. They spent a memorable day seeing the Tsunami Disaster Memorial Museum in Miyagi prefecture, Kadonowaki Elementary School Ruins and the Japanese Onsen.
They were also invited to lunch by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan with Mr. Ota Manabu (Director, Second Southeast Asia Division, Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department), accompanied by Mr. Nikai Naoki and Ms. Watanabe Miyuki from the same department.
According to Nathan, the overall trip has helped him improve personally since he “practiced being more timely and gained greater confidence in public speaking as a result of the programme”. He further added that the trip boosted his cultural knowledge and he started to adopt etiquette into his daily life. Aminin highlighted the uniqueness of Japanese culture, such as their Tea Ceremony history. Amira "learned the significance of bilateral friendship and accepting various cultures beyond your own”. She also highlighted that “it is fascinating to learn about Mitsubishi's efforts and aspirations for green sustainability and digitalisation”.
