Fletcher Stories of Impact and Connection
8. Small, yet significant
Surrounded by the South China Sea and Malaysia, Brunei may be small in size but not insignificant in its role as an advisor and effective mediator for its partners in ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) and the world at large. Since achieving independence in 1984, Brunei—called the Abode of Peace—has relied on its leadership to transition into a prosperous nation.
Brunei’s relationship with The Fletcher School began in 1986 when the country recognized the need to invest in leadership with sound foundations in diplomacy and sent its first batch of students to Fletcher. Since then, seventeen students from Brunei have graduated and have gone on to key government positions , both at home and abroad.
Of the thirty-six overseas diplomatic missions of Brunei, seven are led by Fletcher graduates, including the ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Pengiran Indera Negara PR Puteh, F86; Japan, His Excellency Dato Adnan Buntar, F87; France, His Excellency Dato Zainidi Sidup, F94; and Vietnam, His Excellency Dato Mahadi Wasli, F91, as well as the high commissioners in Singapore, His Excellency Abdul Ghafar Ismil F88; and London, His Excellency Pengiran Dato Maidin Pg Hashim, F90, and the consul general in Hong Kong, Johan Thani Abdullah, F92.
In addition to foreign posts, the Minister of Energy, The Honorable Phin Dato Yahya DP Bakar, F87; Deputy Minister of Communications, His Excellency Dato Yusoff Abdul Hamid, F87; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, His Excellency Dato Serbini Ali, F89, and several senior officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Home Affairs all call Fletcher their alma mater.