BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – More collaboration between industry and higher education should be encouraged to meet the challenges of the future, Brunei’s monarch said Monday.
Speaking at Universiti Brunei Darussalam’s convocation ceremony, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah highlighted the urgent need to address global challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation, food security, cyber security, social polarisation and poverty.
The university has a key role in shaping a “progressive and creative generation”, he said, particularly as Brunei pursues the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Construction of the UBD Innovation Hub, UBD Digital Science Nexus, and a new building for the Institute of Biodiversity and Environment Research, should be catalysts for strengthening research and education, the sultan added.
“These initiatives are expected to lead to the development of products, economic investment and the creation of employment opportunities,” he said.
UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri Hj Kifle added that the Digital Science Nexus would act as a centre for research, education and innovation for Al, Internet of Things (loTs) and machine learning; while the Innovation Hub would nurture entrepreneurship and a start-up ecosystem.
This year, a total 1,158 UBD students were awarded degrees in Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD programmes, with diplomas presented by His Majesty and HRH the Crown Prince.