Bruneians shine at Women of the Future Awards South-East Asia

Scientific Officer at the Ministry of Health Dr Nur Fajrini Matjalina receiving her award. - BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION TO BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/Asia News Network): Two Bruneian women emerged winners in the Sports category and Science, Technology and Digital category during the fifth annual Women of the Future (WOF) Awards South-East Asia while another Bruneian woman received a special mention.

The announcement was made by the British High Commission in Brunei Darussalam.

The annual WOF Awards South-East Asia is the first movement created to celebrate and showcase the emerging female talent across the region.

The fifth annual Women of the Future Awards South-East Asia was held at the Voco Hotel on Orchard Road, Singapore on Nov 23.

The winners are tennis player Ming Rui Chong, The Woke Company Chief Executive Officer, in the Sports category while Scientific Officer at the Ministry of Health Dr Nur Fajrini Matjalina in the Science, Technology and Digital Category.

Brunei LNG Finance Manager Pengiran Mas Norhazilinah Pengiran Momin was announced “highly recommended” in the Mentor Awards. Five inspirational Bruneian individuals were shortlisted in October 2022 after a rigorous selection and interview process.

British High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam John Virgoe congratulated the winners and those shortlisted.

The awards are a recognition of the work many Bruneian women do for the community and in their fields. The high commission encouraged others to nominate candidates for the awards next year.

With the Countess of Wessex as their Global Ambassador, the Bruneian South-East Asia WOF alumni is growing, which include individuals like Amy Cheong, Najaa Halbi, Fatin Arifin, Siti Noraspadiyah Mohd Sah and Aimi Ramlee.

Pengiran Dr Noor Affizan binti Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman and Supna Rania Karwanamurthi are Brunei’s South-East Asia WOF Future Ambassadors.

The 12 categories for the awards are Arts and Culture, Business, Community and Public Service, Entrepreneur, ESG (Environmental Social Governance), Media and Communications, Property, Construction and Infrastructure, Professions, Science, Technology and Digital, Social Entrepreneur, Sport (new category) and Mentor (open to men and women).

Of the 12 Awards categories, 11 are open to women aged 35 or under. The Mentor category is open to both males and females of all ages, and recognises active mentors and champions behind the success of emerging female talent in the region.

WOF Programme is a portfolio of events and projects supporting and celebrating the successes of women through the WOF Awards, WOF Summit, WOF Ambassadors and WOF Network. WOF was founded in 2006 by Pinky Lilani CBE DL. Cherie Blair CBE is Awards patron.

WOF is a movement focussed on kindness and collaboration in the workplace, galvanising a community of influential women to work together as a new generation of talent across business, media, culture and public service.

Previous winners of the WOF Awards South-East Asia include singer songwriter Laura Mam (Cambodia), Eco-Business online magazine Managing Editor Jessica Cheam (Singapore), Agrea Agricultural systems founder Cherrie Atilano (Philippines), True Complexions founder Rozella Mahjhrin (Malaysia), writer and researcher Aye Thiri Kyaw (Myanmar), and Flux OS co-founder Supna Rania Karwanamurthi (Brunei).