With the cooperation from the Ambassador of the United States (U.S) in Brunei Darussalam, Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (BKISHHB) has launched the opening ceremony of the Museum Collection Management Program this morning.
This program, of which will last for three (3) days at Balai Khazanah Islam will be handled by the Interim Deputy Director for Collections and Exhibitions at the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, Daniella Bennett, who was brought by the U.S Speaker Program. The U.S Speaker Program is a program under the U.S Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs that functions to connect experts from the U.S and from international regions in various fields surrounding cultural preservation to economic prosperity to educational diplomacy.
The Honourable Pehin Datu Lailaraja Mejar Jeneral (B) Dato Paduka Seri Hj Awang Halbi bin Hj Mohd Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II, who is also the Chairman of the Advisory Board at Balai Khazanah Islam, has attended the ceremony as the guest of honour and inaugurated the program. The Special and Absolute Ambassador of the U.S in Brunei Darussalam, Her Excellency Caryn R. McClelland was also present at the program.
Over 30 experts and museum administrators from Balai Khazanah Islam, Department of Museums, Brunei History Centre, Islamic Da’wah Centre, Royal Brunei Armed Forces Museum, Royal Brunei Police Force Museum, and Brunei Darussalam Currency Gallery also participated in this program, of which surround various fields such as the artifacts management policy and ethics, records management, and preventive care of museum collections.
Director of Balai Khazanah Islam stated that not only this program is an isolated endeavour / venture but it is also a platform to expose Balai Khazanah Islam’s abilities to different parts of the world. This program also shows Balai Khazanah Islam’s commitment to become the centre of preservation and spread of Islamic knowledge as inspired by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzadin Waddaulah Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.
PYT Ambassador of the U.S in Brunei Darussalam also stated that the cooperation in this program coincides with the 40th anniversary of the U.S-Brunei diplomatic relations. A relation based on amity.