Bandar Seri Begawan, June 17 2025 — The Ministry of Finance and Economy (MOFE), the Manpower Planning Office (MPO) under the Prime Minister’s Office, and Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), in collaboration with the World Bank Group, hosted the inaugural World Bank Talent Outreach Programme at the Pro-Chancellor Arts Centre, UBD.
This landmark event marks the first-ever collaboration between the World Bank Group and Brunei Darussalam on delivering such a programme, and reflects the nation’s continued commitment to equipping its youth and professionals with the tools and opportunities needed to thrive in the global development sector.
Held in conjunction with the UBD–ASEAN University Network (AUN) Summer Camp 2025, under the banner of the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition (MYCE) 2025, the half-day hybrid programme brought together over 380 participants from Brunei and Southeast Asia Voting Group (SEAVG) countries. Among these were 163 UBD–AUN Summer Camp students, with the remaining participants comprising students from other higher education institutions in Brunei Darussalam as well as local jobseekers.
The UBD–AUN Summer Camp is an annual programme that brings together youth from across ASEAN to foster intercultural understanding, collaboration, and leadership through academic activities, community engagement, and dialogue on global challenges. The 2025 theme, ‘Green Stewardship: Preserving Biodiversity and Advancing Sustainable Development’, aligns closely with the objectives of the World Bank Talent Outreach Programme by promoting awareness of sustainable development pathways and encouraging youth participation in global institutions that champion these goals. This platform is vital for instilling in AUN youth a sense of purpose and the competencies needed to contribute to regional and global efforts in addressing pressing challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable growth.
Present as the guest of honour was Dr Haji Azman Ahmad, Permanent Secretary (Higher Education), Ministry of Education. In his remarks, he underscored the importance of nurturing talent for a dynamic and sustainable economy, noting that outreach initiatives such as this are instrumental in equipping Bruneian youth with global exposure and competencies in support of Wawasan Brunei 2035.
Themed ‘Empowering SEAVG Talent for Global Development’, the World Bank Talent Outreach Programme served as a strategic platform to introduce aspiring youth and early-career professionals to career pathways at the World Bank Group. These include the Young Professionals Programme (YPP), the Junior Professional Associate (JPA) Programme, and competitive internship opportunities within the institution.
Dr Wempi Saputra, Executive Director representing SEAVG at the World Bank, delivered a welcoming address which was followed by comprehensive career briefings and practical guidance from Anna Katarina Frick, Senior Human Resource Specialist and Paniti Chuenrudeemol, Senior Human Resource Business Partner. The session provided valuable insights into the World Bank’s recruitment expectations and application process, while also introducing participants to various entry pathways, including internships, early-career programmes, and consultancy roles. In addition to promoting awareness of institution’s initiatives and opportunities, the programme emphasised emerging skillsets in areas such as digital transformation, climate action, and international finance – fields identified as critical to the future of global development.
The strong turnout and active participation from students, jobseekers, and professionals across Brunei Darussalam’s higher education institutions and SEAVG member countries reflect the region’s growing interest in international career opportunities and cross-border collaboration.
The World Bank Talent Outreach Programme stands as a significant milestone in Brunei Darussalam’s efforts to connect its talent with global networks and institutions, contributing to the country’s broader objectives under Wawasan Brunei 2035.