The Brunei Museum yesterday celebrated International Museum Day at its lobby in Jalan Kota Batu.
Present as the guest of honour was Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Awang Mohammad bin Haji Daud.
The minister, in his speech, said the event was themed "Museum and Universal Heritage" as a base of discussion to execute the role that should be played by museums around the world in the era of globalisation.
Museums, he added, should respond proactively in the development of their roles as community institutions such as acquiring of collection, conservation, research, studies and exhibition.
The effectiveness in handling the roles will contribute to strengthen the communal heritage, he said.
The minister also said the steps taken by the Brunei Museum are in line with the Museums Department‘s vision of having a community institution that protects and preserves heritage with an aim of encouraging appreciation of national legacy and sovereignty.
The collection at the museum, he added, should be optimised not only as exhibits but also educational tools in the studies of national heritage.
He concluded that the Museums Department should be a dynamic and strategically planned institution with programmes that change in accordance to demands.
Meanwhile, the Exemplary Staff Award 2006 was presented to three personnel of the Brunei Museum: Haji Osman bin A Salleh of Grade III, Awang Haji Rusli bin Haji Kadir of Grade IV, and Hjh Arbi Haji Nasir of Grade V.
Five pensioners as well as 28 sponsors also received certificates of appreciation from the guest of honour.
The minister also launched the Brunei Museum song before touring the newly renovated Gallery III, which features flora and fauna of Brunei Darussalam.
Source: www.brunei-online.com (26 Mei 2007)
