by Ubaidillah Masli and Koo Jin ShenMore than 60 students of International Graduate Studies (IGS) College in Kiulap yesterday were given greater insight on autism after the college's second year Business and Finance students invited the president of Smarter Brunei to speak on the disorder.
Speaking to The Brunei Times, IGS Lecturer of Business and Finance Gwendoline William said that yesterday's talk by Malai Hj Abdullah Hj Malai Othman was part of the college's personal development programme, which had a different theme every month.
"This particular month, because it is the fasting month, we (assigned) the theme of spirituality and charity," said William, who added that it hoped to teach her students on the marketing aspect of corporate social responsibility.
"Once the students know about these things, (then) there is an awareness. We have to be more concerned and we have to be more aware. They are different from us, all the autistic kids," she added.
"Maybe all of us will become parents one day. What would you do if one of your kids had autism? Or a relative or your friend?" the lecturer asked, pointing out that the lecture would help the students in the future.
One of five students currently taking the National Diploma Course in Business and Finance and who arranged the lecture, Dk Siti Nasrulfaizah Pg Nora Lim, felt that autism was not well known among her peers.
She and her classmates had asked other students whether they knew about autism and most responded that they did not, Dk Siti Nasrulfaizah went on to explain.
Therefore, the group of Business and Finance students decided to arrange for Malai Hj Abdullah to talk at IGS once more, after already having delivered a previous lecture at the college on time management.
Dk Siti Nasrulfaizah said that she had previous knowledge on autism, but after the talk, she felt that she had learned much more on the disorder. She also hoped the talk would make students aware of their social responsibility.
Another student, Halimatus Saadyah Hj Julaihi shared that they had previously visited Smarter Brunei and the society's centre for adults with autism, Baca.
"They (autistic individuals) are normal, but there is just something a bit more special about them," Halimatus said.
"They can do everything that we can do, just in a different way," said Dk Siti Nasrulfaizah.
A member of the audience told The Brunei Times that the lecture had helped him realise that autism was not actually a disability, as he initially perceived it to be.
"Austistic children, as far as I know, need to be treated special. They can't catch up in many things, so they need to be taught step by step," said Hj Md Saifuddin.
The college hoped to hold the talk again next year.
"We will continue this programme to work with (Smarter Brunei). We are looking into (organising an autism) workshop for a start. We can also help with fundraising for the centre," said William.
Today, the IGS college students will be building on their new-found knowledge on autism by paying a visit to Smarter Brunei Centre in Sengkurong.
The Brunei Times
