By Saiful Bahri Kamaruddin
Pix Shahiddan Saidi, Izwan Azman

BANGI, 12 Nov 2013 –  The Crown Princess of Brunei, Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Abdul Rahman, the wife of the Crown Prince of Brunei Pengiran Muda Mahkota Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Ibni Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, visited Pusat Permata Pintar at The National University of Malaysia (UKM) here today.

The Crown Princess was accompanied by her son Pengiran Muda Abdul Muntaqim ibni Duli yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota pengiran Muda Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah.

Her highness was received on arrival at Pusat Permata Pintar by UKM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) Prof Datuk Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali and the Permata Pintar Deputy Director Assoc Prof Dr Melor Md Yunus.

Pengiran Anak Sarah spent an hour at the briefing and visiting the Chemistry lab and astronomy observatory at the academy for gifted youths.

Prof Noor Azlan in his welcoming remarks said several countries had sent delegations to study the functions and set-up of the academy while there had also been others which placed their talented youths in summer camp sessions at Permata Pintar.

Pengiran Anak Sarah Salleh was accompanying her husband the crown prince who was on a five-day official visit to Malaysia, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties while stepping up cooperation in defence, education and the economy.

Pusat Permata pintar Negara is Malaysia’s only centre of excellence responsible for identifying gifted and talented students from around the country and providing the opportunity to enable them to develop their true potential.

It was founded in 2009 under the administration of the Faculty of Education and later became an entity in 2010 under the Chancellery.