Distinguished Bruneian alumnus to give 2015 James Callaghan Memorial Lecture

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The Honourable Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Brunei Darussalam’s Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, will return to his alma mater next week, to give the 2015 James Callaghan Memorial Lecture.

The Honourable Pehin Dato Lim Jock SengThe Honourable Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng (pictured) will deliver the lecture at Swansea University’s Taliesin Theatre on Monday, June 29, starting at 5pm, on the theme of Enhancing ASEAN-UK Relations: Forging closer ties between Brunei Darussalam and Swansea in a globalised world.

Professor Richard B Davies, Swansea University’s Vice-Chancellor, said: “We are delighted to welcome back one of our most distinguished international alumni, The Honourable Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, to give what I’m sure will be a most interesting and thought-provoking James Callaghan Memorial Lecture.

“I am confident this year’s lecture will resonate across a University which, as well as having a strong and clear vision for delivering world-leading research, innovation and education, also delivers an outstanding student experience, with teaching of the highest quality, producing graduates equipped for distinguished personal and professional achievement.

“There are exciting opportunities ahead for Swansea University, as we prepare to enter a new era with the opening of our science and innovation Bay Campus this September.

“Swansea University is a global university, pursuing an ambitious internationalisation strategy. As we move forward, we look forward to forging even closer ties with Brunei Darussalam and our growing number of international partners, who are critical to our continued success and to providing further exciting opportunities to benefit research and innovation, and our staff and students.”

The Honourable Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng received his Bachelor of Sciences (BSc) in Sociology/Social Anthropology from Swansea University and Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Social Anthropology from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

He started his career at the Brunei Museum as Deputy Director and Director and was subsequently transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam as Director-General of ASEAN-Brunei Darussalam in August 1983.

He was then appointed as Brunei Darussalam’s High Commissioner for New Zealand in February 1986.

In May 1986, he became the Director of Politics at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and was promoted to the post of Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the same year.

He was appointed by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah as a member of the Privy Council in 2003 and as an official member of the Legislative Council in 2004.

For his services, he was conferred the title of Pehin Menteri and Dato Seri Setia, as well as other meritorious awards by His Majesty.  He was appointed as the Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in May 2005.

Swansea University’s James Callaghan Lecture Series was established on the occasion of the University's 75th anniversary in 1995, to commemorate the Presidency of The Right Honourable Lord Callaghan of Cardiff (1912-2005).  Lord Callaghan, who was British Prime Minister from 1976-1979, was President of Swansea University from 1986-1995, and he became an Honorary Fellow of the University in 1992.

In October 1996, Lord Callaghan returned to Swansea University to open the campus building named in his honour.  The building fittingly reflects Lord Callaghan's working life, as it houses (amongst others) the departments of Politics and International Relations, and History.

Admission to the 2015 James Callaghan Memorial Lecture is free of charge and all are welcome.  To book your free tickets, please contact the Taliesin Box Office on 01792 602060, or email: office@taliesinartscentre.co.uk.

The lecture will be delivered in the English language.