Press Release

Zul Fakhri Maidy wins prestigious Fulbright 2007 scholarship to study in the U.S.

The Embassy of the United States in Brunei Darussalam is pleased to announce that Mr. Zul Fakhri bin Maidy has been selected to receive the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship for 2007. Zul- the fourth Fulbright Scholar from Brunei to pursue graduate education in the U.S. since the reactivation of the program in 2004 -- will be leaving end of the month to begin studies for a Masters Degree in Journalism at the University of Missouri. Since the completion of his undergraduate degree from London EBS, Zul has been working as a journalist and more recently as a senior sub editor at the Borneo Bulletin.

U.S. Ambassador Emil Skodon comments, “This is another milestone in our efforts to help Bruneian students take advantage of the wide-ranging opportunities for world-class higher education in the United States. We hope many more Bruneian students will follow the example set by the Fulbright scholars and consider study in the U.S. The American Embassy is prepared to provide prospective students the information they will need to get started on what could be the educational journey of a lifetime.”

The reactivation of the Fulbright Program in Brunei fulfilled of one of the points of agreement between His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei and President Bush during their December 2002 meeting at the White House. The ideals of the Fulbright program, namely: to provide opportunities to study and teach in each other’s countries, exchange ideas, and develop joint solutions to address shared concerns, are particularly fitting as Brunei and the U.S. celebrate the 24th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

Having been selected for the Fulbright award from a highly competitive pool of applicants, Zul was thankful for the honor of representing Brunei as a Fulbright scholar. He was also pleased to gain entrance into University of Missouri which offers one of the best graduate journalism programs in the U.S. During the courtesy call with the U.S. Ambassador Zul said “This is a memorable experience! I am really looking forward to going to Missouri and beginning the MA program.” Zul was also thankful to Brunei Press as well as Management of QAF Brunei’s support of his decision to furthering his studies. During his undergraduate years, Zul spent a semester abroad as part of his degree thereby giving him a general idea of what the American educational and environment offers. He feels this experience has giving him an advantage already. “Going to Missouri is going to be a different experience but I’m looking forward to the challenge. I’m thrilled at starting the course, however I think it’s just as important to perform to the best of my ability throughout the two years and finish on a high note.”

Zul also had few encouraging words for future applicants for the Fulbright program “Go for it; don’t give it a second thought.”

The Fulbright Program is a program of academic exchange for the promotion of global understanding. Scholarship awards for the Fulbright Graduate Study Program are offered to Bruneian citizens and permanent residents to allow them to pursue a degree in the United States. This award is for advanced students seeking to study for a Master’s degree. Former Fulbright Scholarship recipients include Dr Pg. Hishamuddin, Mohammad Yusra Salleh, and Vivi Jafiana DP Hj Jaafar.