The 2025 FLY Finale brought together students and young professionals from across Brunei’s institutions and workforce for an evening of discussion, debate, and reflection. Participants came from UBD, UTB, UNISSA, IBTE, Politeknik Brunei, Cosmopolitan College and Kemuda Institute, alongside speakers and supporters who have contributed to the programme over the past year.

Organised by Shaun Hoon of Curious Mind, the Finale was held at Balai Khazana Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, an impressive venue and always worth a visit for its beautiful art and cultural displays.

At the centre of the FLY programme is Shaun’s vision and sustained commitment to youth leadership development. Together with his team at Curious Mind, he has built a platform that encourages young people to think critically, speak with confidence, and engage seriously with issues that matter. The consistency behind the programme was evident throughout the Finale and reflects the long-term effort invested in developing young leaders in Brunei.

This year’s Finale featured a structured debate as the highlight of the programme. The topics included social media rights for youth, climate change and the economy, and the use of AI tools for homework. These discussions reflected real and current concerns, and the quality of debate spoke to the preparation and confidence of the participants.

The programme concluded with a conversation titled “The Road to Excellence”, where I was invited to share perspectives on leadership and responsibility. The discussion briefly touched on self-leadership, working with people, decision-making under pressure, and values, and was shaped by questions raised by Bruneian youth earlier in the programme.

Overall, the Finale reflected the strength of the FLY community that has grown around the programme, supported by speakers, partners and sponsors who believe in investing in young people. It was a reminder of the impact that sustained mentorship and thoughtful programming can have over time.

Read more about FLY Academy and Shaun Hoon’s work at curiousmind.biz/about