The U.S. Embassy in Brunei, in partnership with Company E and George Mason University’s Serious Games Institute, has launched an initiative to empower Bruneian youth through digital creativity and cross-cultural collaboration.
At the opening ceremony, U.S. Ambassador Caryn McClelland emphasised that the programme is more than just a training course – it is a launchpad for digital creativity, youth empowerment and meaningful collaboration.
Ambassador McClelland highlighted how emerging technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) serve as bridges, connecting Bruneian youth to global innovation.
“This initiative brings Bruneian youth into the global conversation on innovation. It invites them to tell their stories, preserve their cultural heritage, and build immersive experiences that reflect Brunei’s unique identity—digitally, creatively, and proudly,” she said.
Over the next 14 weeks, participants will learn to design games, model 3D environments, and code immersive digital spaces. The programme’s centerpiece will be the creation of an interactive, 3D model of Brunei, which will be hosted on the SuperMuseum Go platform as a digital monument to creativity and national pride.
“You will build a virtual version of Brunei, guided by your own vision of history, culture, and possibility,” said McClelland.
The initiative underscores the U.S. government’s commitment to shared prosperity through technology. By investing in Brunei’s next generation of tech leaders, the programme aims to foster a more connected and resilient digital economy.
“Emerging technologies can make the world safer, more prosperous, and more resilient. Programmes like this turn that belief into action—fostering entrepreneurship, fueling creativity, and giving young people the tools to turn passion into purpose,” she said.
The Ambassador extended her appreciation to key collaborators, including the Brunei Innovation Lab, Universiti Teknologi Brunei, and George Mason University, as well as Paul Emerson and Company E for their visionary contributions.
McClelland concluded with an inspiring message for the youth: “This is your moment. The skills you gain here can take you far—not only across the virtual landscapes you build, but into real futures filled with promise. Use this opportunity not just to learn, but to imagine, to lead, and to create something that truly makes a difference.”
With this initiative, Brunei’s digital future is being shaped—one game, one idea, and one virtual Brunei at a time.
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
