Issue 04 - Universiti Brunei Darussalam

Graduating students at
UBD’s 23rd Convocation Ceremony

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DiscoverCONTENT
2 Welcoming Message
Discover Feature
3 UBD’s 23rd Convocation Ceremony
4 UBD’s 25th Anniversary
5 H.E. Mr. Wen Jiabao visits UBD
Discover News
6 Eminent Speakers Series
UBD Community Outreach Programme
7 2nd Executive Programme 2011
9th ALNC Meeting
8 UBD and New York Botanical Garden
FOS Open Day
9 9th EDPMMO
2nd Borneo University Games
10 Discover Year
11 UBD Links with George Washington University
FutureGov Awards 2011
12 Green Debate
13 eG.InC 2nd Batch Opening Ceremony
UBD and Tenri University
14 FBEPS Public Lecture with Professor Hanke
Data Analysis Workshop with EVIEWS
15 GIS Course
Creative Industries Research Cluster
16 WWN Conference
17 IHS Open Day
ISESCO Regional Seminar
18 Graduate Seminar Presentations
19 FOS Outreach Programme
Plants That Eats Other Plants
Discover Research
22 Proboscis Monkeys Under Threat
23 English Communcations in Asia
Choice of Transportation and Global Warming
24 Tropical Trees
Advance Research Methodology Series
25 The Future of Brunei’s Coastlines
26 Integrated Waste Management
Advance Reseatch Methodology Series
27 KBSFC Research
Lead Free Solder
Discover Conferences
28 EAROPH Regional Planning Conference
International Workshop with Univesity of Bonn.
29 SLPNC
30 Conference in Princeton University
31 UBD|IBM Centre
Welcoming Message
Welcome to the fourth and final issue of discoverubd
for 2011! It has been an ambitious and energetic
year for UBD and we hope to return to you ready
and raring to go in 2012. I would like to take this
opportunity to wish all Muslim readers a happy and
blessed new hijrah year.
This issue of discoverubd marks the end of our first
academic semester for the 2011/2012 session. Indeed,
this past semester has seen many historic firsts for UBD.
discoverubd is proud to feature the grand finale of our
25th Anniversary Celebrations, which was graced by
the presence of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-
Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, as well as other members
of the royal family (p5). We were also honoured to
welcome His Excellency Mr Wen Jiabao, Premier of the
State Council of the People’s Republic of China (p3) on
the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the diplomatic
relationship between Brunei and China.
These celebrations pay tribute to our history and past
achievements, but are also a time to note that we
are only at the beginning of a long and promising
journey. As a university, we continue to forge ahead
in leading research nationally and internationally, with
a focus on local solutions (p20) to global problems
(p21). We also continue to strengthen our relationships
with internationally renowned universities (p4,13), as
well as prominent local entities (p15), recognising the
need for collaboration and cooperation across all
sectors if we are to succeed in this journey.
Our students, of course, stand at the crux of this
journey. This past semester has seen our pioneering
batch of Discovery Year students step out from
UBD and into the world. discoverubd catches up
with some of their remarkable achievements in the
community (p8,9) and in partner communities abroad
(p18). We hope you enjoy, as we did, having a little
insight into the personal discoveries of our students.
Finally, discoverubd would like to wish all those
celebrating a very happy new year, and we look
forward to welcoming you back in 2012.
As always, we invite feedback and would like to
thank all contributors to this issue of discoverubd.
Best wishes,
Hjh Anis Faudzulani Hj Dzulkiflee
Assistant Vice Chancellor
(Corporate and Administration)
Editorial
Contact
International and Public Relations Office
office.ipro@ubd.edu.bn
Editorial Board
Dr. Teo Siew Yean, Dr. Kathrina DP Hj Mohd Daud,
Hjh Nuairah Afifah Hj Abdul Wahab, Khairunnisa Hj
Ibrahim, Daniel Wee Ming Kho
DiscoverFEATURE
1033 students graduate in UBD’s 23rd
Convocation Ceremony
Universiti Brunei Darussalam celebrated
its latest batch of graduates in its 23rd
Convocation Ceremony on 29 September
2011 at the Chancellor Hall. The ceremony
was graced by His Majesty Sultan Haji
Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah,
the Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei
Darussalam and Chancellor of Universiti Brunei
Darussalam, His Royal Highness Prince (Dr.)
Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and
Pro-Chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam,
and members of the Royal Family.
In his welcoming speech, the Vice-Chancellor Dato
Paduka Dr. Hj Zulkarnain Hj Hanafi shared that a total of
1033 students had successfully completed their studies
in UBD, one of whom was Her Royal Highness Paduka
Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah Hj Salleh
Ab. Rahaman. The Vice Chancellor also highlighted
that the first GenNEXT third-year undergraduates
had begun their Discovery Year in August, leaving
UBD to attend a variety of programmes such as
internships locally and internationally, as well as study
abroad programmes in partner universities, including
King’s College London, Monash University Australia,
Waseda University Japan, Hankuk University Korea.
Some Discovery Year students had also undertaken
incubation and innovation projects, while others
had chosen to contribute to Community Outreach
Programmes.
UBD has also been very active in Student Exchange
Programmes with countries like China, Korea, Japan,
United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Bringing international students into UBD will ensure that
students have a platform through which they can
share and exchange knowledge and experience for
mutual development.
The Vice Chancellor took the opportunity to introduce
the new Continuing Education Centre which offers lifelong
learning programmes, as well as the Innovation
and Enterprise Office. He also highlighted that as part
of the university’s efforts to add value to learning and
research, UBD has been inviting Eminent Professors to
the university.
The Vice Chancellor concluded his welcoming speech
with a congratulatory message to all the graduates.
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DiscoverFEATURE
Vice-Chancellor highlights the importance
of research and life-long learning
at the Grand Finale of UBD’s 25th
Anniversary Celebrations
Universiti Brunei Darussalam celebrated
the grand finale of its 25th anniversary
celebrations in conjunction with its
establishment on Saturday, 15 October
2011 at the Chancellor Hall. Present to
grace the ceremony were His Majesty
Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin
Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji
Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi
Waddien, the Sultan and Yang Di-
Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam and
members of the Royal Family.
In his opening speech, Dato Paduka Dr. Hj Zulkarnain
Hj Hanafi, the Vice Chancellor of UBD, remarked that
the university has seen a paradigm shift in teaching
and research. The programmes offered have
undergone modifications to adapt to current needs
and maintain relevance. The GenNEXT Programmes
are trans-disciplinary, design-centric and focused
on experiential learning to prepare students for the
expertise which will be required in the 21st century,
according to the three principles of Leadership and
Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Environmental
Awareness. He also mentioned that UBD recognises
the importance of life-long learning.
The Vice Chancellor highlighted that UBD has
increased its research activities in its 5 research groups,
10 research clusters and the establishment of research
centres including the Kuala Belalong Research Centre,
the e-Government Innovation Centre (eG.InC), the
UBD | IBM Centre, the Institute of Asian Studies and the
Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Centre for Islamic Studies.
DiscoverFEATURE
H.E. Mr. Wen Jiabao,
Premier of the State
Council of the
People’s Republic of
China visits UBD
Universiti Brunei Darussalam had the
privilege of receiving a visit from His
Excellency Mr. Wen Jiabao, Premier of the
State Council of the People’s Republic of
China on 20 November 2011 at Chancellor
Hall. Present to receive His Excellency were
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri
Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr.) Hj Awang Abu
Bakar Hj Apong, Minister of Education as
Minister-in-Attendance; Yang Mulia Dato
Seri Setia Awang Hj Yusof Hj Ismail, Deputy
Minister of Education and Associate
Professor Dr. Azman Ahmad, Acting Vice
Chancellor of UBD.
In his welcoming remarks, Professor Azman mentioned
that 2011 marked the 20th anniversary of the
diplomatic relationship between Brunei Darussalam
and China, and expressed his hopes that the
anniversary would herald greater opportunities for UBD
to forge a closer relationship and stronger friendship
with its counterparts in China. UBD has established
formal partnerships with several Chinese institutions
such as the Harbin Institute of Technology, Jinan
University, the Beijing Normal University, the Inner
Mongolia University and the Guizhou University and
hopes to develop new and productive collaborations
in the near future with more universities in China.
Associate Professor Azman also took the opportunity
to welcome the participation of scientists, professors
and academicians from China in strengthening and
advancing collaborative research and education,
while extending an invitation to students from China
who wish to pursue their education overseas.
During the visit, His Excellency generously donated
books to UBD’s library and planted a Friendship Tree.
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DiscoverNEWS
Eminent Speakers Series by Former Prime Minister
of Republic of Korea and Vice President of Asian
Development Bank (ADB)
The e-Government Innovation Centre (eG.InC) of Universiti of Brunei Darussalam organised a special lecture
series delivered by the former Prime Minister of Republic of Korea, His Excellency Dr. Un-Chan Chung and the
Vice President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Dr. Bindu N. Lohani, both of which took place on 26
November 2011 at the Senate Room, Chancellor Hall.
Present at the occasion were Dato Paduka Awang Hj Ali Apong, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office,
Vice Chancellor of UBD Dato Paduka Dr. Hj Zulkarnain Hj Hanafi, senior Government officials from various
ministries, UBD staff as well as members of the public.
Dr. Chung, who is currently the Chairman of the Commission on Shared Growth for Large Corporations and Small
and Medium Enterprises, delivered a topic titled ‘Lessons learned from Korea’s experiences in carrying out its
National Development Plans and developing its industries’. His Excellency highlighted that education, investment
in human capital and strong spirit were critical drivers of economic growth in the Republic of Korea, which lacks
significant natural resources or financial capital.
The former Korean Prime Minister also talked about building e-Government and listed the Government’s “strong
will and leadership” as well as talented experts as the most important success factors in this endeavour. His
Excellency also expressed his view that if Brunei pursues green IT with its outstanding human resources, it will
undoubtedly rise as the foremost country in Southeast Asia in information and telecommunication.
Dr. Chung’s lecture was followed by ADB Vice President Dr. Bindu Lohani’s talk titled ‘Development Challenges
and Priorities for Asia: Some thoughts on Brunei Darussalam’, in which he noted that the 2011-2012 Global
Competitiveness Reports ranks Brunei as the most competitive country in Southeast Asia, one that is transitioning
towards an efficiency driven economy. The sultanate, however, lags in terms of higher education and training,
technological readiness and innovation. To alleviate these large gaps, Dr. Lohani suggested that Brunei
“focus on creating centres of excellence in other areas such as in higher education and Information and
Communications Technology (ICT)”. He further proposed for Brunei to be more active in regional cooperation,
considering its unique position in promoting BIMP-EAGA and ASEAN.
UBD Community Outreach
Programme in Tutong District
In conjunction with its Convocation Festival
2011, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD)
held the Community Outreach Programme
(C.O.P) at the Tutong Central Mall in Tutong
Town on the 7th and 8th of October.
Acting Tutong District
Officer Hj Muhammad
Suffian Hj Bungsu
officiated at the two-day
programme as the guest
of honour. Representing
UBD was Registrar and
Secretary Metussin Hj
Bakir.
“The objective of the
programme is not only
to bind ties between
the community and UBD
but also to expose the
public to the current
development of UBD,”
said the coordinator of
the Programme for the
Tutong District.
During the event, the
students introduced and
showcased the activities
that they had been
conducting through their
clubs which included the
Muslim Youth Club, the Al-
Qur’an Club, the Art Club
and the Warisan Club.
In support of the district’s
“One Village, One
Product” campaign, UBD
also invited institutions
and villages to promote
local products such as
virgin coconut oil and
handicrafts.
DiscoverNEWS
2nd Executive Programme on“Negotiation
Leadership and Conflict Management”
By Patrick Wong
The Institute for Leadership, Innovation
and Advancement (ILIA), Universiti Brunei
Darussalam (UBD) in collaboration with
The Linden Group and CMPartners jointly
organised the 2nd Executive Programme
on Negotiation Leadership and Conflict
Management at Indera Samudra, The
Empire Hotel.
Present as the guest of honour for the ceremony was
Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Paduka Hjh Hayati Pehin
Orang Kaya Shahbandar Dato Seri Paduka Hj Mohd
Salleh, the Attorney General.
The opening ceremony included a welcoming address
by Dr. Azaharaini Hj Md Jamil, Director of ILIA.
The 2nd Executive Programme on Negotiation
Leadership and Conflict Management 2011 has
been designed to incorporate new elements of
management in negotiation conflict management,
strategic communication and relationship
management through practical methods and tools
developed and tested over years of practice. With
this professional approach, dynamic leaders will be
able to develop their inner strength and knowledge
for contributing positive outcomes to Brunei
Vision 2035. This programme was attended by 25
participants.
The programme was packaged and facilitated by
Tom Schaub, Managing Partner for CMPartners with
the slogan “You have the power to change”.
“Feel the Difference, Make the Difference
and Be the Difference”
UBD welcomes delegates for the 9th ALNC Meeting
By Dr. Kathrina DP Hj Mohd Daud
On Wednesday , 19 October, 15 delegates from international universities were welcomed by UBD for the
9th ASEAN Learning Network Council (ALNC) meeting. Among these delegates were the Vice Chancellor
of Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), Professor Emeritus Dato Ir Dr. Zainai Mohamed, Professor Ir Surna Tjahja
Djajadiningrat from the School of Business and Management at Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) and Professor
Li-Choy Chong from the University of St Gelan, Switzerland.
The ALNC was established in 2010, when students from the University of St Gelan, Switzerland, and Institut
Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia, engaged in a pioneering Social Entrepreneurship Educational Programme
(SEED). SEED programmes have since developed into inter-cultural leadership and enterprise development
programmes aimed at exposing students from universities in Europe and Asia to the unique context of rural
villages. The programmes aim to promote economic development in the most impoverished villages through
the multicultural teamwork and social entrepreneurship of students.
The meeting took place from the 20-21 October, and was comprised of a closed session on Thursday morning
between the delegates, and an open session in the afternoon. All faculty and students of UBD were invited
to the open session, during which the delegates shared the purpose, vision and programmes of the ASEAN
Learning Network. The delegates also showcased the current activities of their institution’s SEED programmes,
which were of particular interest to all those involved with Discovery Year or any student led programmes.
The delegates were taken to Kampong Bolkiah A and B in Kampong Ayer on the morning of the 21st, to visit
the UBD’s Community Outreach Programme, which is being run by students on their Discovery Year. This visit
included a trip to the Library Project and the Frozen Foods Project, in which students have been renovating
and running the village’s library and developing the village economy through industry. After leaving the site,
delegates visited two landmark mosques in the capital city.
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DiscoverNEWS
MoU cements
links between UBD
and the New York
Botanical Garden
Vice Chancellor, Dato Paduka Dr. Hj Zulkarnain Hj Hanafi,
presenting a copy of the UBD book “Life Underneath the
Canopy”, to Mr. Gregory Long, Chief Executive Officer and
The William C. Steere Sr. President of the NYBG.
FOS Open Day
By Malai Haniti Sheikh Abdul Hamid
The UBD FOS open day was held on 12 September
2011 in conjunction with the Chemistry Open day,
which was a conscious choice given that this year is
the International Year of Chemistry. Various events
were held at the Student Centre, which constituted
of exhibitions and quizzes given by the different
programmes at FOS (Chemistry, Biology, Physics,
Mathematics, Computer Science and Geoscience).
There was a Chemistry Magic Show, a demonstration
of a Physics Water Rocket, Biology Pop Quizzes,
Display of Minerals & Rocks by Geoscience, Maths
Interactive Computer Activities, Kuala Belalong
Exhibits and display of a Rubik’s Cube Robot Solver.
The UBD FOS open day was attended by about 1,000
upper secondary school students throughout the
country.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between
Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and the New
York Botanical Garden (NYBG) was signed by Dato
Paduka Dr. Haji Zulkarnain Haji Hanafi, the Vice
Chancellor of UBD and Mr. Gregory Long, Chief
Executive Officer and The William C. Steere Sr.
President of NYBG. The auspicious event took place in
New York City on 14 November 2011.
The MoU will facilitate collaborations on specific
programmes in biodiversity, sustainability and
the environment. Among the potential areas for
collaboration are staff and student mobility, joint
research, co-supervision of both undergraduate and
graduate students, internships and training activities
in the areas of biodiversity and the environment.
The NYBG, established in 1891, is the largest botanical
garden in the USA, and one of New York’s most
prominent academic and cultural institutions, working
towards the preservation of the world’s botanical
heritage. It is an advocate for the plant kingdom
with living plant collections arranged in gardens and
landscapes across its National Historic Landmark site.
The NYBG is positioned at the forefront of worldwide
botanical research through its developmental
integral works in the field, laboratory, library and
herbarium. It is one of the world’s most preeminent
free-standing plant research organisations, with
exceptional state-of-the-art plant research facilities
and a pioneering centre for molecular research. The
NYBG also offers a Graduate Studies programme
that provides extensive training combined through a
classroom setting and traditional fieldwork, equipped
with cutting-edge molecular technology. In addition
to comprehensive education programmes in
horticulture and plant science, the Graduate Studies
programme partners with leading universities such as
Yale University, Cornell University, New York University,
Fordham University, The City University of New York
and Columbia University.
The LuEster T. Mertz Library of the NYBG, founded
in 1899, is the largest and most comprehensive
botanical library in the Western hemisphere and is a
treasury of knowledge on all aspects of plants and
related topics. The Mertz Library is working with ten
of the world’s major natural history and botanical
libraries to digitise all of their jointly held published
literature on biodiversity and make it available on
the Internet. The William and Lynda Steere Herbarium
is a National Systematic Research Resource Centre,
amongst the four largest in the world, holding more
than 7 million specimens of all groups of plants and
fungi. Inking the MoU with this renowned botanical
research centre will strengthen UBD’s research
capacity in biodiversity, sustainability and the
environment.
The signing of the agreement between UBD and
the NYBG marks the culmination of several years of
existing collaborations between the two institutions.
In the past, several UBD scientists have had joint
research projects with NYBG professors. According
to Dr. Anita Aziz, the Assistant Vice Chancellor for
Education and Internationalisation who witnessed
the signing ceremony, “further collaborative work
has also been planned, such as the in-coming of two
renowned scholars from the NYBG to Brunei in June
2012 to work with local scientists on projects in UBD’s
Kuala Belalong Field Study Station.”
She added, “UBD researchers will also be based in
NYBG to conduct joint research on tropical plants,
which is one of the research strengths of UBD. Several
students will also be spending their Discovery Year
under the GenNEXT programme as interns in NYBG.”
DiscoverNEWS
9th Executive Development Program for
Middle Management Officers (EDPMMP0)
By Patrick Wong
The Public Service Department (PSD) and The Institute
for Leadership, Innovation and Advancement
(ILIA), Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) have jointly
organised an 8-week Executive Development
Programme for Middle Management Officers
(EDPMMO) 2011. It has been designed to incorporate
many new elements relevant to the objectives
and expectations for the new phase of this training
programme at ILIA. This constitutes the 9th batch of
the programme that is being participated in by 30
government civil servants.
The opening ceremony was held at ILIA Lecture
Theater on 3rd October 2011. Present as the guest
of honour for the ceremony was Yang Mulia Awang
Hj Norjusmin Hj Abd Samad, Deputy Permanent
Secretary of Prime Minister’s Office. Also addressing the
audience at the opening ceremony was Dr. Azaharaini
Hj Md Jamil, Director of ILIA.
2nd Borneo University Games 2011
The 26 representatives from Universiti Brunei Darussalam
finished their 2nd Borneo University Games 2011
(SUKMAB) campaign with a trio of bronze medals
at the University of Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) in
Kuching, Sarawak from 11 to 13 November 2011. The
Games were held at UNIMAS’s Sports Complex.
The Bruneian delegates competed in three out of
the 11 sporting events, including basketball, futsal
and table tennis. Participants of the Games included
approximately 170 students from 15 Bornean universities
- 13 from Sarawak, one from Kalimantan and one from
Brunei.
The EDPMMO is a training programme intended for
middle management officers in public service - a
programme which has been packaged after close
consultation with ILIA and PSD. The EDPMMO is
facilitated and taught by specially selected top UBD
faculty and international experts.
The EDPMMO is designed to increase innovativeness,
provide a platform for senior officers, and prevent
introverted and mainstream thinking, amongst others.
Participation in the programme should add value to
the participants’ organisation specifically and improve
public service delivery generally, as well as acting as a
mechanism for succession planning in identifying those
who have the capability to go to the next level.
All Bruneian contestants proved their worth and ultimately stood on the final spot of the podium in all three events.
Out of 13 teams in the futsal tournament, UBD was joint third with Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) of Sarawak
whereas in basketball, UBD shared third with host UNIMAS.
The UBD men’s table tennis team earned their bronze medal on the second day of the competition. The
team was represented by Wee Tzu Min, Muhd Arif Hj Selamat and Ak Mohd Azri Pg Hj Metusin. The women’s
category of table tennis saw UBD’s Ting Siew Chien, Khairunnisa Hj Md Said and Amelia Dupanggal Koh finish
above their fellow compatriots by winning the silver medal.
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DiscoverNEWS
Discovery Year
students restore
community library and
teach village children
By Khairunnisa Hj Ibrahim
An exciting feature of the GenNext educational
structure at Universiti Brunei Darussalam is the Discovery
Year. This third-year programme encourages students
to seek learning experiences outside the university,
either by studying abroad, interning at a firm, taking
part in community outreach activities or by starting
their own businesses.
This year marks the debut of the Discovery Year,
which aims to give students exposure to a completely
different campus abroad, the professional workplace
or to communities at home or overseas so they
can further develop their academic, professional,
communication and interpersonal skills.
For four undergraduates – three from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and one from the Faculty of
Business, Economics and Policy Studies – their decision to join the community outreach programme (COP) led to
reviving a village library in Kg Ayer and providing tuition classes for the children of Kg Bolkiah.
The group leader is Siti Munirah Hj Hassan, a Malay Linguistics major. Together with fellow linguistics major Iffah
Zafirah Dzulkefdi, Sociology-Anthropology major Nur Hafiza Rabiatul Adawiyah Noor Azmi and Chea Hong, who
majors in Accounting and Finance, the group spent two weeks following the project’s start in September 2011
renovating the library, including painting the walls, rearranging the shelves and sourcing for more books. They
also introduced a children’s corner and study areas. The renovations were funded by the Yayasan Sultan Haji
Hassanal Bolkiah foundation, which manages the library.
Their next major activity was publicising the library to the village residents. The foursome went door-to-door
advertising the library’s new features and services and surveyed residents on whether or not they’d be interested
to send their children for extra tuition at the library.
The response they received was overwhelming. From late September to mid-November, droves of children came
by the library where they received not only tuition but also opportunity to be involved in various activities such
painting and colouring, puppet-shows, movie sessions as well as reading.
When asked what they considered to be their greatest achievement, the student-librarians all gave the same
answer. “The fact that the kampong children wanted to come here and get tutored,” said Siti Munirah. Chea
Hong and Iffah, who both aspire to become educators, concurred. ”The students want to study,” said Chea
Hong, while Iffah reflected that the experience had taught her a lot about teaching.
The tuition sessions allowed the kampong children to receive extra help with schoolwork as well as a fun
environment in which to learn. About 300 children were registered for the tuition sessions, which took place
twice a day, Mondays to Fridays. Siti Munirah, Chea Hong, Hafiza and Iffah all took turns with the tutoring, which
intensified as students’ exams drew closer.
Running the library also gave them opportunity to hone their communication and organisational skills. According
to Iffah, they regularly corresponded and negotiated with the Yayasan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah personnel on
various matters, and even organised a motivational talk for the schoolchildren prior to their exams.
The student-librarians expressed their hope that the next cycle of Discovery Year students to take over from them
would continue or even expand the range of activities they have started.
While the village children undoubtedly gained from having a library and place for learning and interacting with
others, Hafiza expressed their collective belief that the benefits extended both ways: “We just have a great time
with the children.”
DiscoverNEWS
UBD links with George Washington
University
In September 2011, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at
the Prime Minister’s Office, visited the George Washington University (GWU), where His Royal Highness and senior
administrators of GWU discussed the possibility of developing partnerships with Brunei’s higher tertiary institutions.
Following up on the Crown Prince’s visit, faculty members and administrators of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD)
worked out various aspects of possible collaborations. These culminated on 16 November 2011 in the signing of a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two universities.
UBD’s Vice Chancellor, Dato Paduka Dr. Hj Zulkarnain Hj Hanafi and Steven Knapp, President of GWU inked the
MoU that will facilitate a reciprocal exchange of students and training activities between the two universities.
In addition, students who are attached with GWU can participate in internship programmes in Washington,
DC, including the semester in Washington Programme. The MoU also provides opportunities for the exchange
of scholars as well as joint research projects, especially in biodiversity research in the Brunei rainforest. Other
research areas of mutual interest include energy and food sustainability.
Dato Paduka Dr. Hj Zulkarnain expressed his satisfaction with the MoU, remarking, “GWU has a long-standing
history in higher education in the States preparing outstanding graduates for the American and international job
markets. I’m excited about this partnership, as this MoU serves as an initiation of institutional relationship between
both universities, and certainly look forward to further academic, research, and service collaborations with GWU
in the near future”.
GWU, established in 1821, is the largest university in the District of Columbia, with more than 20,000 students.
The student population is diverse, with international students from more than 130 countries, and every semester,
approximately 900 students leave the United States of America to study in GWU’s partner institutions in over 50
different countries.
Under the agreement, UBD will be receiving exchange students who will at UBD for a semester. The university will
also be sending its students under the exchange program to take part in a variety of modules offered by GWU.
UBD students will have an opportunity to participate in an American educational experience and interact with
American students.
eG.InC shortlisted for Technological Leadership
in FutureGov Awards 2011
By Nurdalila Hj Md. Deli
Only four months after its establishment, the e-Government Innovation Centre (eG.InC) was shortlisted for
the FutureGov Awards 2011 after competing with more than 20 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. eG.InC
competed in the “Technology Leadership” award category which recognises vision and project management
excellence in technology deployment.
The FutureGov Awards celebrates the successes of Asia-Pacific’s most forward-looking government, education
and healthcare organisations. In addition, the FutureGov Awards are the international benchmark by which
public sector innovation is judged.
The FutureGov Awards are open only to government, city administration, education, and healthcare
organisations. Winners of FutureGov Awards were announced during the seventh annual FutureGov Summit at
a Gala Awards Dinner on 14 October 2011 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, Malaysia.
eG.InC did not bag the award, but received particular attention from the judges who were impressed by
Brunei’s “strong vision” and “very clear action plans” in her efforts to achieve success in e-Government. Being
shortlisted in the FutureGov Awards is “a great mark of achievement” for eG.InC.
Founded by Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office and
the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), eG.InC was established to serve as an
e-Government think-tank for research, training, and forums. The Centre’s mission to be a global leader for the
sustainable development of an information society is in line with Brunei’s Vision 2035 to establish a knowledgebased
economy.
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DiscoverNEWS
BSP and UBD organise second Green Debate
By Khairunnisa Hj Ibrahim
This year marks the second time the Green Debate competition, a collaborative effort between Brunei Shell
Petroleum and University Brunei Darussalam, has been successfully conducted.
Launched just last year, the Green Debate serves as a platform for environmental awareness and education,
as well as an opportunity to groom future leaders who will guide the nation toward the path of sustainable
development. Its initial participants were 10 of the country’s sixth-form centres, higher education institutes
and universities, who all competed for the title of champion. In 2010 this honour went to Maktab Duli Pengiran
Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah.
This second instalment saw the introduction of two categories and an increase in the number of participants.
Four teams competed in the university category and eight teams in the pre-university category in the
preliminary round, which took place on 15 September 2011 at The Core, Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
Another new addition to this year’s Green Debate is the Debate Clinic, a one-day seminar that took place
on 7 September 2011 and featured invited speakers from relevant agencies or organizations who shared
their experience and knowledge on environmental issues locally and beyond. As the clinic is an educational
programme specifically for the debaters, the organisers plan to widen its scope to include workshops and
excursions in future events.
The final round of the Green Debate took place on 20 October 2011 in a ceremony graced by Her Royal
Highness Paduka Seri Pg Anak Isteri Pg Anak Sarah. It was also attended by the Vice Chancellor, Dato Paduka
Dr. Haji Zulkarnain Haji Hanafi, BSP Managing Director Ken Marnoch, senior officials and personnel from both
organisations as well as participating schools, colleges, higher education institutes and universities.
The university category saw host team UBD in favour of the motion that “The media are more effective than
legislation in protecting the environment” against the team from University Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA). The
debate was won by UNISSA.
Meanwhile, the pre-university final category featured proposition team Pusat Tingkatan Enam Katok and
opposition team Sekolah Menengah Sayyidina Ali (SMSA) arguing for and against, respectively, the motion
that “The youth of Brunei will be the main driver of the change needed to deliver the sustainability goals of
Wawasan Brunei 2035.” SMSA emerged as the champion of the pre-university category.
DiscoverNEWS
eG.InC Opening Ceremony for batch 2
of the e-Government Executive Training
Programme
By Nurdalila Hj Md. Deli
After the successful completion of the first batch of e-Government Executive Training Programme participants,
which was conducted from June until September this year, the e-Government Innovation Centre (eG.InC)
started up a second batch, consisting of senior government officials, mainly Chief Information Officers (CIOs)
and Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) from various government ministries.
The opening ceremony for Batch 2 of the training programme was attended by the guest of honour, Yang
Mulia Tuan Hj Azahar Hj Yahya, the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Upstream) of the Prime Minister’s Office,
Associate Professor Dr. Azman Ahmad, the Assistant Vice Chancellor (New Initiatives and Innovation) of
UBD, His Excellency Mr. Byung-Koo Choi, Korean Ambassador and Mr. Sung-Wook Jo, Korean Counsellor.
Also present were senior officials from the government, representatives from the first batch of the training
programme and principal officers of Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
An opening speech was given by Dr. Hazri Hj Kifle, the Dean of Faculty of Business, Economics and Policy
Studies, UBD, followed by an opening ceremony speech from the guest of honour, Yang Mulia Tuan Hj Azahar
Hj Yahya, a special speech from the Korean Ambassador, His Excellency Mr. Byung-Koo Choi and also a
speech from a student representative from the first batch of the training programme.
eG.InC aims to continue to increase awareness about e-Government as well as to educate and instill the
necessary knowledge and skills to senior government officials about the importance of information technology
and communication (ICT) in the successful implementation of e-Government in Brunei Darussalam. With
collaboration from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
(KAIST), it is hoped that with the conducting of the second e-Government Executive Training Programme,
Brunei Darussalam is one step closer to achieving the goal of a knowledge-based economy as outlined in the
national vision of Wawasan 2035.
UBD and Tenri University ink MoU
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Universiti Brunei Darussalam and Tenri University,
Japan, on 21 September 2011 at The Core, UBD. Present to grace the ceremony was Dato Paduka Dr. Hj
Zulkarnain Hj Hanafi, Vice Chancellor of UBD, and the Honorary Reverend Masahiko Iburi.
In her speech, Dr. Teo Siew Yean, Director at the International and Public Relations Office (IPRO) highlighted
that the MoU would further boost the current Student Exchange Programme and academic collaborations.
Delegates from Tenri University were invited to be interviewed by the DJs of UBD FM, the university radio station,
and were taken on a tour of the campus.
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DiscoverNEWS
FBEPS Public Lecture by
Professor Michael Hankev
By Hjh Siti Rafidzah Hj Sulaiman
A public lecture titled ‘European credit crisis:
problems and solutions’, was delivered on 18 October
2011 by Professor Michael Hanke from the University
of Liechtenstein. Professor Hanke, Chair of Finance
in the Institute of Financial Services, where he and
his team are actively involved in research areas
that include quantitative finance, empirical finance
and behavioural finance, gave the lecture at the
invitation of the Faculty of Business, Economics and
Policy Studies (FBEPS). The event took place in the
Senate Room, Chancellor Hall.
The lecture focused on the very relevant and
current crisis faced by Europe, with a spotlight on
Greece. Professor Hanke highlighted several root
causes of what he termed the financial crisis 2.0,
which happened in Europe at the end of 2009 and
is different from the financial crisis that was triggered
in the U.S. and which spread in Europe in 2007/2008. He argued that the causes included the excessive
(structural) budget deficit in some Eurozone countries, higher spending than tax revenue leading to higher
public debt, undercapitalization in banks and the economically absurd but politically enforced rule regarding
regulatory capital. The differences in economic structure between countries participating in the Eurozone
have also become problems in these countries instead of solutions. One of the possible solutions he proposed
was to abandon the euro for Greece although in practical terms, this is not possible. Other solutions cited
included debt management and the role of banking institutions.
Professor Hanke has several publications on the areas of finance such as Credit Risk, Capital Structure, and the
Pricing of Equity Options; Information, Interaction, and (In) Efficiency in Financial Markets and The Economic
Consequences of a Tobin Tax - An Experimental Analysis.
Workshops on Data Analysis with EVIEWS
By Dr. Gamini Premaratne
The Faculty of Business Economics and Policy Studies
(FBEPS) has introduced a series of workshops focusing
on data analysis methods using the EVIEWS statistical
software. The first workshop, which saw faculty
members participating, was held on 12 October
2011 and facilitated by Deputy Dean Dr. Gamini
Premaratne.
The workshop, which focused on applications of
EVIEWS in the context of empirical research in the
fields of Economics, Finance and Business, provided
participants with hands-on experience in presenting
and analyzing categorical data using the relevant
statistical measures, cross-tabulations and hypothesis
testing necessary for quality publications. Categorical
Data analysis is one of the most popular empirical
research methods among academics.
A follow-up workshop was held three weeks later, on
9 November 2011. The second workshop on EVIEWS
data analysis aimed to equip participants with the
necessary theoretical and applied tools to conduct
empirical research involving quantitative data.
Deputy Dean of FBEPS Dr. Gamini Premaratne
Photo taken by Muhammad Azhar bin Hj Zubaidi
DiscoverNEWS
GIS course for MinDef
personnel
By Khairunnisa Hj Ibrahim
Ten army personnel from the Ministry of Defence
recently started a three-week introductory course
on the Geographical Information System (GIS) and
geosciences. The course is a consultancy project
under Dr. Kazimierz Becek from the Environmental
Studies programme, Faculty of Arts and Social
Sciences (FASS), and provides basic training for GIS
and geosciences theory and technology.
The course started on Monday, 21 November 2011 with
an opening ceremony officiated by the Director of the
army’s Centre of Science and Technology, Research
and Development (CSTRAD), Colonel (L) Muzri Hj
Mokhsin, FASS Dean Dr. Gary Jones and Environmental
Studies/Geography and Development programme
leader Dr. Bill Duane. Both the director and the dean
urged participants to take maximum advantage
of the expertise and materials made available to
develop their geospatial capabilities and knowledge.
The course was facilitated by Dr. Becek and
Khairunnisa Haji Ibrahim of FASS.
From left: Colonel Muzri, Dr. Becek, AP Dr. Jones and Pg Hj
Sazali Pg Yakob from MinDef at the opening ceremony.
Creative Industries Research Cluster
invites RTB on a Study Tour
By Dr Hj Zahari Hamidon & Assoc. Prof. Kong Ho
Fifteen Radio Television Brunei (RTB) representatives
participated in the invitational study tour and
discussion forum held by the Creative Industries
Research Cluster (CIRC) of Universiti Brunei Darussalam
(UBD) on 30 November 2011. The aim of the tour and
forum was to establish a network between RTB and
the CIRC, especially in the area of capacity building
through relevant training programmes provided by
UBD. The event also aimed to initiate a two-way
discussion on further development of 3D animation
design in UBD.
Dr. Duane (L) and the GIS course participants from MinDef.
Associate Professor Dr. Hjh Zohrah Hj Sulaiman
launched the study tour and discussion forum by
delivering her welcoming speech to all RTB representatives, CIRC members and participating UBD staff
and students. Art and Creative Technology (ACT) students showcased their 3D animation project, entitled
“Nakhoda Manis”, one stop motion project, two motion graphics projects and one music video during the
student project presentation at the Central Lecture Theatre.
After the student presentation, all RTB representatives visited the 3D animation studio set up by art and design
students in FASS 1.92 and networked with the UBD students and staff. A final discussion session was then held
between RTB Human Resource Development officers, RTB News Section graphic designers, RTB Television
programmes editors, the RTB technology services team, the FASS Deputy Dean, Dr. Sharifah Nurul Huda Al-Kaff,
and members of the CIRC.
The event concluded with a discussion forum led by Dr. Hj Zahari Hamidon, CIRC Leader. In the discussion forum,
RTB representatives expressed a keen interest in collaborating with UBD through the CIRC, particularly in the
areas of advanced training, exploring advanced digital design technology and equipment, and scriptwriting.
CIRC members will return the visit to the RTB studios and production centre next January. It is to be hoped that
this network will be the foundation of a fruitful and prosperous connection between RTB and UBD.
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DiscoverNEWS
International Women in World Neuroscience
(WWN) conference in Brunei Darussalam
The first International Women in World Neuroscience (WWN) conference in Brunei Darussalam
was held on 10th and 11th of October 2011. The conference was inaugurated by Yang
Mulia Dr. Hjh Norlila Dato Paduka Hj Abd. Jalil Deputy Permanent Secretary (Professional and
Technical) Ministry of Health Brunei Darussalam.
This was a cumulative effort of all the faculty and staff from the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul
Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam under the guidance of Dean and deputy
deans of IHS.
The two days WWN conference entitled “Expanding Roles of Female Neuroscientists in the 21st Century” was
attended and presented by Neuroscientists from Germany, Japan, Malaysia and Philippine along with the
Bruneian researchers, practitioners and academics.
There were four keynote speakers . First keynote lecture was given by Prof. Datin Seri Laila Jasa Dr. med. Uta
Meyding-Lamadé, the Professor and Head of the Department of Neurology of the Kran kenhaus Nordwest,
Frankfurt, Germany. She is also the Head of Neuroscience Stroke and Rehabilitation Centre, Jerudong Park
Medical Centre, Brunei Darussalam.
The other three keynote speakers include Prof. Yoko Kato, an eminent Neurosurgeon from Japan, who gave a
talk on the Application of ICG Video Angiography in Cerebrovascular Surgery. Prof. Zalina Ismail of University
Sains Malaysia talk on the Implication of Sex Differences on Neuroscience Research while Dr. Fatima Shad
Kaneez, Associate Professor of PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, UBD, discussed the Factors Contributing in
the Onset of Depression.
There were six symposiums on brain tumour pathology, head injuries, mental health in women, depression, polio
eradication and learning disabilities.
The conference also saw the foundation of Brunei’s first society of neuroscience, which will be jointly overseen
by the Ministry of Health, JPMC, and UBD. The society looks to collaborate with the International Brain Research
Organisation (IBRO), which will yield benefits such as grants and scholarships to members.
DiscoverNEWS
Institute of Health Sciences holds Open Day
By Asmah Husaini and Lo Yah Nee.
In conjunction with the celebration of UBD
Convocation 2011, the PAPRSB Institute of Health
Science (IHS) held its first Open Day on 20 November
2011 at its headquarters. The event was themed
‘Bring your heart to IHS’ to commemorate the World
Heart Day.
The IHS Open Day offered prospective students the
opportunity to visit the institute and to gain insight
into the life as an IHS student. They also had the
opportunity to visit the IHS programmes promotion
booth to know more about details of the health
sciences programmes that are offered, take studentled
tours and chat with the current students.
The institute also provided the public with free health
check-ups and health advice booths throughout the
day. There were also scheduled health talks given by
health professionals from the Ministry of Health and
the Institute itself. Visitors and the members of the
Institute also took part in some light physical activities.
To encourage healthy diet during the day, the
institute’s students even sold some light and healthy
refreshments. Quizzes and games were also offered to
everyone who came during the day.
To commemorate the World Heart Day on 26
September, IHS also invited various departments from
the Ministry of Health and Jerudong Park Medical
Center to showcase exhibitions and carry out healthy
lifestyle promotion to all visitors.
Isesco Regional Seminar On New Trends In
Biotechnology Research & Their Potential In
Developing Countries
Universiti Brunei Darussalam hosted the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Regional
Seminar on New Trends in Biotechnology Research and their Potential in Developing Countries on 29 November
2011 at the Chancellor Hall. Present as the guest of honour was Hajah Hasnah Ibrahim, the Deputy Permanent
Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources.
The seminar was particularly timely, as in recent years the potential of biotechnology has revolutionised the
field of biology. Techniques have been developed to produce rare and medicinally valuable molecules,
to change hereditary traits of plants and animals and to diagnose diseases and cure them either through
biotechnologically derived proteins and polypeptides forming a new class of potential drugs, or through
immune-diagnostically designed vaccines. Biotechnology has also helped to clean up the environment,
produce safer foods and bioprocess new products through biocatalysts.
In this way, biotechnology has had a significant impact on the fields of health, food/ agriculture and
environmental protection. Approved products in the pipeline and renewed public confidence make it one of
the most promising areas of economic growth in the near future.
During the seminar, it was recognised that developing countries are deriving only limited benefits from
biotechnology due to declining investments in public research and development. Furthermore, the dominant
role of developed countries’ private sectors in biotechnology makes it difficult for developing countries’ public
sector research to benefit from the new innovations.
Participants of the seminar were trained to understand the issues related to biotechnology and the application
of biotechnology in medical, pharmaceutical, food, environmental and related industries.
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DiscoverNEWS
Faculty of Business, Economics and Policy
Studies Graduate Seminar Presentations in
Semester 2, 2011/12
The Faculty of Business, Economics and Policy Studies is pleased to announce that the following graduate
presentations will be conducted in the coming semester. For more details, please contact the FBEPS office.
DiscoverNEWS
Faculty Of Science Outreach Programme
For Gifted Science Students
By Dr. Rahayu Sukri (Biology, FOS)
The Faculty of Science (FOS) hosted a group of
gifted science students and their lead teachers from
the Special Education Unit, Ministry of Education
on 19 November 2011. Upon arrival, the group was
welcomed by Dr. Jose Santos, the Deputy Dean of
FOS. The one-day programme consisted of a tour to
the Computer Science, Chemistry, Applied Physics
and Biology groups at FOS. Academic staff from each
group also organised hands-on science activities
designed to challenge the gifted students. Students
experimented with crystal growing, investigated
whether computers can learn from experience,
measured current and voltage, and extracted
aromatic compounds from native plants. The FOS visit
Plants that Eat Other Plants?
Public Lecture Organized by the Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre (KBFSC)
On 5 October, 2011 Professor Lytton Musselman,
the Mary Payne Hogan Professor of Botany at Old
Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia USA presented
a lecture entitled “Finding a Way Around—Plants that
Eat Other Plants”.
While carnivorous plants that trap and eat insects,
like the iconic Brunei pitcher plants, are well known,
other nutritional specializations of plants are less
spectacular, though no less interesting. At the
KBFSC-sponsored lecture he reviewed several
nutritional modes in plants including mychorrizae,
mycoheterotrophy, and concentrated on the highly
specialized plants that invade neighboring plants.
These parasitize their neighbors for water, such as the
many mistletoes so abundant in Brunei, or for water
and food. Some of the latter group of parasites are
among the most serious crop pathogens in the world,
especially in the semi-arid tropics.
Certainly the strangest among a guild that includes
some of the most bizarre plants known is Hydnora.
This is a parasite that completely lacks chlorophyll,
a condition found in some Borneo parasites, most
notably Rafflesia and the extremely rare Rhizanthes.
But Hydnora is different because it never emerges
from the soil.
Professor Musselman presented data based on
aimed to cultivate the students’ interest in science and
to expose them to research conducted at UBD’s FOS.
On 3 December 2011, the gifted science students
went on a field visit to the UBD Biology forest plot at
Bukit Sawat. Led by Dr. Rahayu Sukri of the Biological
Sciences Programme, the field visit aimed to increase
the students’ understanding of Brunei’s tropical
forests. Students were given an on-site introduction to
tropical forests, and were then divided into groups to
conduct experiments within the heath forest at Bukit
Sawat. For many of the students, the field visit was
their first time being in a forest, and the experience
proved to be exciting and unforgettable.
Prof. Lytton
investigating the native
mycoheterotrophic and
parasitic plants with the
UBD graduate students
Dyg. Saabiqah Abd
Salam & Hjh Roshanizah
Hj Rosli.
work with Profs. Jay Bolin (Catawba University, North
Carolina, USA & Research Fellow Simthsonian Institute)
and Kushan Tennakoon of the Biology Programme,
Faculty of Science, UBD on this plant that spends its
entire life underground.
Musselman’s visit is part of an ongoing collaborative
effort between the Old Dominion University, USA
and Universiti Brunei Darussalam. Previous work on a
Brunei species of Cuscuta by two research students
(Hydayatallah Waqiyuddin Hj. Mohiddin and Amanda
Beiber, jointly supervised by Dr S. Kushan Tennakoon,
Linda B. L. Lim, Lytton Musselman and Jay Bolin
revealed its first record in the Sultanate and also
previously unrecorded DNA segment in the genome
which has challenged some previously recorded
research. Part of the research presented by Amanda
Bieber enabled her to win one of the Young Botanist
Awards from the Botanical Society of America at
their annual meeting in 2011. The purpose of these
awards is to offer individual recognition to outstanding
graduating seniors in the plant sciences discipline.
Research continuing under this collaboration includes
further work on the native plants Cuscuta, Rhizanthes
and Mycoheterotrophs with a new project on
Cassytha filiformis being conducted by UBD graduate
student Hjh Roshanizah Hj Rosli.
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DiscoverFEATURE
This issue of discoverUBD features an
interview with Discovery Year student
Jeremy Tay, who is spending a semester
abroad in Korea. Jeremy majors in Business
Administration at UBD and is enrolled
under the Social Sciences Programme at
DaeJeon University.
Could you share with us a little bit about your Discovery
Year experience so far?
Anyong-haseyo 안녕하세요from Korea: the “Hermit
Kingdom”! This country has been very welcoming to
me and a whole load of other Study Abroad students
from all over the world. The experience so far has been
wonderful and eye-opening because studying in a
country and visiting one for a holiday are two totally
different things.
Where should I start? The Korean experience feels like
a radical shift from normalcy. The food is different, the
scenery is different, the social mannerisms are different.
Even the system for writing the date and driving are
all topsy-turvy. This awkwardness takes only about a
week or two to subside, then you stop nit-picking at
the differences and start embracing them in strides. As
they say “when in Korea, do as the Koreans do”.
What has impressed you so far, and can you share
with us an experience which made you glad to be
participating in this programme?
What hasn’t impressed me about Korea? From their
efficient public transportation, to their energy efficient
technology, and their impressive compliance to
efficient waste disposal. I think what really struck me
was their mentality to work and life.
Quickly you learn two words as a foreigner. First: “Pali
Pali”, which means “hurry-hurry” and “fighting” which
means “do the best you can”. These two simple words
captivated me. It is true that everyone in Korea is in
a hurry, and they are probably the timeliest people I
have ever met. They set schedules and follow them
through and this is important in respect to their Neo-
Confucius social culture which is highly tiered. Even
their language structure with honorifics, polite, formal
and impolite shows their high emphasis on ascribed
status.
“Fighting” reflects their tenacity. The belief is they
“have to do it” and you find students, lecturers
and basically everyone in society working all the
time. Libraries are packed full of hardworking
students, lecturers are jugging classes with meetings,
government obligations and mentoring all the time.
I’m really glad to have been exposed to such a
dedicated and hardworking country whose people
are still able to embrace their culture and heritage. I
don’t think I can actually put my finger on the “best”
experience so far, because everything just feels so new
to me. We’ll see what winter holds at the end of the
month!
DiscoverFEATURE
How do you hope to contribute to UBD and Brunei by
going on Discovery Year?
I’ll be honest. I’ve been pretty strategic with what
I’ve chosen to study, where I spent my extracurricular
activities and where I’ve been trying to apply for
internships. When I first studied economics in UBD, I did
extra research and found out that South Korea was a
true rags-to-riches story. At the end of the Korean War,
they had nothing but strong human resources and
strong government which implemented policies to
develop their human resources, technology capacity,
dynamic economy and GDP. They have no natural
resources to fall back on.
We as Bruneians can see the similarities with where
our government, under the guidance of His Majesty
are going with Wawasan 2035 and the National
Development Plans, which aim to develop a highly
skilled human resources, a dynamic knowledge
economy and a high quality of life. I believe we
have an advantage, with a strong GDP per capita,
education and technology. What I hope to do is learn
as much as I can and hopefully apply what I have
learned for the betterment of our country.
I have diligently participated in educational courses
about “Saemaul Undong” which was the nationwide
grass-roots movement to help promote wellbeing and
more equal wealth distribution. I’ve also taken “Korean
Economic development” modules which go into detail
about the key steps taken by South Korea to reach its
current place in global trade.
I’ve also taken up the opportunity to intern at
either UN-APCICT (United Nations – Asia Pacific
Training Center for Information and Communication
Technology for development) which focuses on three
inter-related pillars – Training, Research and Advisory
Services. Together they form an integrated approach
to ICT human capacity building. Or the Inchon Free
Economic Zone, which is similar to our own Sungai
Liang Industrial Park (SPARK). I believe interning at
either place will put me in a position to learn about
policies which could be implemented based on
best practices or at least give me the experience to
contribute in any way possible.
I also hope to contribute my services as a student
of UBD to any foreign exchange students as I have
firsthand experience of what they are going through.
Furthermore I’ve come to realize that a lot of students
here participate in volunteer work and there is a strong
student body with a lot of student based activities.
I’d wish to try and liven up our own university and
encourage more self-help and community-help
activities within and outside of the university.
Any message that you would like to give to the 2nd
batch of Discovery Year students?
I can only speak to the next batch of Discovery
Year students, who are coming to Korea. First of all,
enjoy yourself here because the people and the
environment are so friendly and open. You have
nothing to lose, but a lot to gain and this helps develop
character.
Second, do not let your doubts or insecurities plague
you. Korean lecturers and students are open to
questions, jokes and a lot of singing or dancing. The
class environment is always happy and fun, but you
have to do your work. They are also willing to help
you out in anyway they can. Korean students actually
go out of their way to help exchange students, this
includes peer tutorials!
Third, “Pali-Pali” and “Fighting!” This means always
being on time, professional and working your hardest.
Perhaps Master Yoda had told them a long time ago
“Do or do not, there is no try”.
Fourth, like in Brunei and all other countries. Respect
your seniors and this goes beyond age. It’s about
position and educators hold a very high place in
Korean Society. This means bowing your head and
being very polite (using Korean honorific terms if
possible!).
Fifth, go out with your fellow exchange students and
Korean buddies! You’ll learn so much more about
other countries and Korea. You’ll be surprised at how
things we take for granted leave others in “awe!”
Sixth, learn to be independent. This means learning
where and how to get what you want. At first I
memorised and took down notes on landmarks and
buses to take me to places I wanted to go. This also
means learning basic “daily expressions” such as:
how much is this, I’m only browsing and excuse me.
Leave the haggling to your Korean buddies, and this is
important when buying your first phone!
If you go to Daejeon, don’t be disappointed it’s not
Seoul. Daejeon’s pace of life is similar to Brunei, and
its people are far more gentle and open. In fact,
Daejeon University has had 10 years’ experience with
exchange students from ASEAN, which translates to
better facilities and modules catered to our needs!
Other universities come to Daejeon University for
advice.
Finally, never forget that you are representing Brunei
Darussalam. Korea is a very homogenous country
and this means they have limited knowledge and
experience with outsiders especially from Southeast
Asia. This means fulfilling your obligations as a student
the best way you can, NEVER skipping classes and
always being polite.
discoverUBD would like to thank Jeremy
Tay for his contribution to this issue, and
wishes him all the best for the remainder
of his time in Korea.
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DiscoverNEWS
Proboscis Monkeys may be under threat,
says study
By Khairunnisa Hj Ibrahim
Are the proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) adequately protected in Brunei Darussalam? These odd-nosed,
potbellied primates live mostly in mangrove forest by the river, and according to a Masters dissertation that
utilises satellite images and geographical information system (GIS) analysis to assess proboscis monkey habitat
along Sungai Brunei, the primates’ long-term survival could be threatened as a result of habitat clearing for
community, residential and industrial development.
The study used Landsat satellite images from 1991 and 2002 to first identify and map mangrove forests, which
were taken as the proxy for proboscis monkey habitats, before conducting a change-detection process to
map habitat loss between the two years. Meanwhile, GIS facilitated analysis of the pattern and causes of
change, identified threatened habitats, simulated scenarios and predicted future conditions, thus potentially
contributing to better-informed management of wildlife resources.
This map shows the extent of proboscis monkey habitation
along Sungai Brunei, the species’ home or foraging range and
these territories’ proximity to, and in most cases overlap with,
built areas. Source: Khairunnisa Hj Ibrahim.
An adult male proboscis monkey. Credit: Hj Ibrahim Ismail
The dissertation was produced by
Khairunnisa Haji Ibrahim of the Faculty
and Arts and Social Sciences, UBD, while
she was at the University of Leicester, UK,
and concluded that proboscis monkey
habitats are increasingly encroached
upon by built areas, which could lead to
migration of the notoriously shy mammals.
The proximity of human settlements also
poses other risks to the proboscis; there
have been many instances where the
primates have ended up as roadkill, for
instance.
The study attested to the feasibility of using
satellite images to map habitat distribution
and change and found GIS to be a
viable tool for identifying change factors,
which included the clearing of habitat
for settlement expansion, the provision
of community facilities and industrial
development. The proboscis monkey
habitat maps in addition can be used to
facilitate strategies for sound mangrove
resource management. If coverage is
expanded to include the whole country,
the methods employed in the study could
also contribute to an updated inventory
on Brunei’s mangrove resources.
DiscoverRESEARCH
Misunderstandings in English
Communication in Asia
by David Deterding
The Brunei component of the ACE project (led by
Dr. Salbrina Sharbawi) is collecting recordings of
conversations in English between people of various
backgrounds at UBD. One of the areas of research
based on this data is to find out which features of
pronunciation cause misunderstandings and which
just contribute to the local accent of the speaker. The
output of this research can be incredibly valuable
to teachers, as it can help us to determine which
features of pronunciation we should focus on in
order to ensure that our students become maximally
intelligible in international settings.
For example, in a recording of a speaker from China
talking to someone from Brunei, the Chinese said
she had been to see the film ‘Black Swan’, but the
Bruneian heard it as ‘Rex One’, partly because
the /l/ in ‘black’ was pronounced as /r/; and in a
conversation between a Japanese speaker and a
Bruneian, the Japanese said she sometimes caught
the purple bus in the ‘early morning’, but the Bruneian
heard this as ‘alimony’, largely because of the quality
of the vowel in the first syllable of ‘early’.
Preliminary results suggest that most consonant
replacements can cause problems, particularly
confusion between /l/ and /r/ and also between
/l/ and /n/. Similarly, the addition or omission of /h/
is problematic. However, the TH sounds at the start
of words such as ‘think’ and ‘then’ do not seem to
cause too many difficulties, regardless of how they
are pronounced.
The incidences of misunderstanding that are found
are being collated in a database that is available
on-line at:
http://www.ubd.edu.bn/academic/faculty/FASS/
research/CMACE/home/index.html
Each page shows one instance, with a full
transcription and an attempted explanation of what
caused the problem. In addition, the speech sample
is available for users to listen to. For example, the
page for the Black Swan instance is:
Research on link between transportation
choices and global warming
By Khairunnisa Hj Ibrahim
Dr. Cheong Poh Ai @ Irene Teh, from the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Education (SHBIE) is leading a
research project that looks at behaviours and attitudes regarding transportation and their subsequent impact
on global warming.
The ‘Transportation Alternatives Behaviour in Brunei Students’ study, or simply TABIBS, is part of an international
research project that includes academics from the University of Western Macedonia in Greece, the Turkish Ahi
Evran University and the Sultan Qaboos University in Oman.
The international project seeks to explore behaviour towards transport alternatives i.e. other than private
car use, links between behaviour and global warming and whether and how education can incorporate
sustainable transportation behaviours in the four countries, while TABIBS focuses exclusively on Brunei. Its aims
include investigating the use of public instead of private transportation habits of university students and
exploring the possibilities of education in promoting sustainable transportation behaviours in Brunei.
Samples for the study were culled from a pool of students in UBD who are divided according to their year of
study and whether they are in the science or humanities stream. The data collection is via questionnaires,
administered directly during class or via an online survey, and includes reports by Dr. Irene’s students on
transport alternatives produced as part of a module on sustainability.
Other members of the TABIBS research team are Khairunnisa Hj Ibrahim from the Faculty of Arts and Social
Sciences and Research Assistant Dk Siti Ariana Pg Hj Yusof.
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DiscoverRESEARCH
Dr. Hedl measuring tree positions in one of the 1-hectare
permanent plots at the KBFSC in September 2011.
Accurate information about tree positions is essential for
analysis of spatial patterns, enabling reconstruction of
forest development over the past two decades.
Picture by Hjh Masnah Hj Mirassan.
Tropical trees: gaps and growth
shape the forest
Public Lecture Organized by the Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre (KBFSC)
On 21 September 2011, the current Postdoctoral
Research Fellow of the Kuala Belalong Field Studies
Centre (KBFSC), Dr. Radim Hedl presented a lecture
entitled “Tree dynamics of the mixed Dipterocarp
forest in Brunei Darussalam”.
Forests of the Ulu Temburong National Park
provide ideal conditions for study of structure and
development of the most voluminous part of the
tropical forest, the trees. All stages of the tree life
cycle can be encountered: from the youngest
saplings to the aged giants. Even dead trees can be
encountered either still standing, or fallen and slowly
rotting on the forest floor.
The natural forest is a highly competitive environment
for all kind of organisms including trees. Understory
is very shady and gives little chance to the young
trees to grow and reach the canopy. They simply
have to wait until a gap opens up in the overstory
formed by mature individuals. Many of them do not
withstand the long period of unfavorable conditions
and perish, contributing to the decaying dead wood.
This research has also closely examined the fine-tuned
mechanisms of the tropical forest dynamics.
The study of processes forming the structure of
lowland forest is based on three one-hectare
permanent plots initiated in the early 1990. After
several re-measurements, the story of the formation
of forest gaps and their gradual development into
the mature forest can be precisely reconstructed.
Formation of canopy gaps is probably the most
important mechanism shaping the tropical lowland
forest structure. Typically, a large tree fall creates
a gap sized about a hundred square meters. Tree
species adapted to colonize such gaps will virtually
spring up; within a few years, they can grow over
15 meters high. These species are not competitively
strong, but they are capable to use the transient
“light windows” in otherwise dark closed forest.
However, many slower-growing species will gradually
occupy the ageing gap and a tough competition will
eventually decide which individuals will form the new
canopy layer.
This research is a joint work of several researchers
from Brunei Darussalam and the Czech Republic,
and benefits from the previous research of the past
two decades. The main investigator, Dr. R. Hedl, is
a researcher at the Institute of Botany of the Czech
Academy of Sciences. He works in various subjects of
forest ecology, but the main topics of his research are
historical ecology of the European forests, patterns in
diversity of temperate forests (Europe and Northern
America) and dynamics of tropical forests (Brunei).
Advanced Research Methodology Series: Design and
Analysis in Social and Behavioral Sciences Research
The first leg of the Advanced Research Methodology course series, entitled “Design and Analysis in Social
and Behavioral Sciences Research”, took place on 24 and 25 October for researchers and academic staff in
the University. Initiated by the Graduate Studies and Research Office, this first course will be followed by more
advanced level courses for researchers and staff in various disciplines in the university.
UBD is taking steps to become a world class research university and to fulfill the vision of joining the ranks of the
top 50 universities in Asia by 2015. It is therefore vital for academic staff and researchers to update their skills
to produce good quality research publishable in top tier journals and also to have research outcomes and
findings which can be valuable and patentable in industry.
The university is currently focusing its research efforts on the areas of energy, biodiversity, Islamic studies,
food security and Asian studies. The university’s research groups and clusters, namely Energy and Simulation,
Environment and Sustainable Development, Science Technology & Society, Ageing, Obesity, Cancer, Islamic
Studies, Youth and the Creative Industries Research Clusters support the university’s research direction and
agenda.
The course focused mainly on quantitative research methods, the methodology commonly used in social
and behavioral sciences, psychology, health and clinical epidemiological research. It therefore benefitted
academic staff across various faculties including the Faculty of Business, Economics and Policy Studies, the
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Education, the Academy of Brunei Studies, the Pengiran Anak Puteri
Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
The course covered advanced level research methods beneficial also to graduate students and current
researchers in the university. Dr. Vincent Chua, from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences in the National
University of Singapore, conducted the course.
DiscoverRESEARCH
The future of Brunei’s coastline threatened
by potentially rising sea levels
Watch out! The rising sea level will inundate
our country! A study done as part of
GE3260, the third-year geography research
methods course, investigated the change
in ocean level and its impact on the coastal
and low-lying zones in Brunei Darussalam.
It determined that areas below 10m of
elevation are likely to be inundated due to
the potential sea level rise.
Research has shown that Brunei’s coasts have
experienced major coastal erosion which commonly
occurs ranging from small scale to large scale
erosion. With the sea level increasing in the coming
years, more coastal erosion and sea flooding is likely
to take place. This will not only affect fragile areas,
but the entire coastline of Brunei.
Ak Hj Amirul Azri, an officer from the Marine
Department, reveals that coastal regions like
Brunei-Muara and Meragang Beach have been
experiencing severe erosion due to high tides and
heavy rainfall. However, research shows that the rapid
rise of the sea level is the ‘silent’ cause of coastal
retreatment. Heavy rainfall and high tides are part of
the sultanate’s normal physical phenomena.
The effect of rising sea levels can also affect lowlying
interior places in all four districts. The country has
experienced severe flooding since 2000. A series of flash
floods indicate that Brunei has seriously been impacted.
Based on several newspaper reports, there have
been various cases of severe flooding in some lowlying
areas. This has largely happened along and
nearby drains and rivers. However, flash floods usually
occur at flood-prone areas that have drainage clogs
due to blockages caused by rubbish and leaves. It
is also due to improper drainage management and
lack of maintenance to the existing constructions.
The agency that is responsible for protecting the
population from the impact of rising sea levels is the
National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC).
According to Rina, an officer of the agency, they
have proposed two major action operations, which
are the “pro-active approach” and the “reactive
approach”. However, these two approaches focus
more on the population in inland areas rather than in
the coastal area.
Figure 1: A map showing the recent and potential
inundated areas by the sea level rise at an elevation of
10m in Brunei-Muara and Tutong.
Various mitigation and management plans have
been implemented and proposed to prevent both
coastal and inland problems as a result of water
inundation. Nevertheless, according to Dr. Kazimierz
Becek, the lecturer in charge of this study, although
the implementation of modern and advanced
technologies are and will be carried out effectively,
the impact of the rising sea level cannot be
overcome by these technological plans alone.
To further investigate this issue, questionnaires were
given by students to locals and the results were quite
startling. It was discovered that locals have little
knowledge of the sea level change, and possess low
levels of awareness of the change and its impact.
From these responses it was gathered that the
majority of local Bruneians are poorly informed on this
issue although it has already been affecting them for
many years.
The study emphasises the seriousness of the effects
that rising sea levels will have on the environment and
community. More research and impact assessments
are urgently needed.
The study was carried out by Umme Aliakbar, Nabilah
Nurain, Hjh Nur’aisyah Hj Ismail, Hjh Nor Amalina Hj Alli
and Mohd. Husaini Mohammad, under the supervision
of Dr. Kazimierz Becek.
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DiscoverRESEARCH
Integrated Waste Management
System In Brunei Darussalam
A study by third-year
students taking the
geography research
methods course GE3260
has found that the public
can expect the country’s
waste to be processed
more efficiently and
sustainably once the
multi-million dollar
Sungai Paku landfill starts
operating later this year.
The $66.5 million project,
which is tendered to
Singapore Technology
Marine together with
QAF, will include a waste
processing and recycling
section, as well as gas
and leachate treatment
systems to minimize
pollution and adverse
environmental impacts.
As such, the new landfill
has been fitted with
features such as a base
lining to prevent harmful
leachate from reaching
groundwater, a leachate
treatment system
to collect and treat
polluted liquids before
they are discharged
into a nearby river, and
a gas vent system that
converts harmful gases
such as methane into
carbon dioxide and
water. Meanwhile, the
Material Recovery Facility
(MRF) will be tasked with
segregating the waste
and diverting part of the
waste to the recycling
and composting facilities.
The project also involves
the establishment of a
transfer station in the
existing landfill at Sungai
Akar and the engineered
landfill in Sungai Paku
in the Tutong district.
Once the new landfill is
operational, it will receive
Figure 1. Workings of the Integrated Waste Management
System in Brunei.
all waste produced including from the Brunei-Muara district. However, waste
from Brunei-Muara will first be sorted and compacted at the Sungai Akar transfer
station to ensure cleaner and more efficient transport to Tutong.
Once compacted, the waste will be transported via trailers, with a projected five
trailers making four trips per day carrying a total amount of 400 tonnes per day.
The transfer station will also continue to receive waste from the district’s residents,
as well as monitor the amount and type of waste that get transported to Sungai
Paku so that the lifespan of the new landfill can be assessed. It is estimated that
the new landfill will be able to accommodate up to 500 tonnes of waste per
day from Brunei-Muara, Tutong and Belait. The waste-carrying trailers will also be
cleaned at the transfer station to ensure cleanliness and efficiency.
This inquiry was carried out by Hjh Siti Nursyairah Hj Sani, Mohammad Ali Hj Tundak,
Saiful Nizam Jalil, Mohd Syahir Hj Sani, Mohd Khairuddin Hj Metussin – third year
students from the Geography & Development and Environmental Studies, UBD
under the supervision of Dr. Kazimierz Becek.
Graduate Studies and Research Office in
collaboration with the Energy Research Group
organises forum on functional research
By Khairunnisa Hj Ibrahim
The Graduate Studies and Research Office, in
collaboration with the Energy Research Group,
organised the Advanced Research Methodology
Forum on “Functional Research, Academic Excellence
and Economic Growth” on 19 November 2011 at ILIA.
This was the third leg of the Advance Research
Methodology Course Series initiated in October by the
Graduate Studies and Research Office. There will be
more advanced level courses for researchers and staff
in other disciplines and areas in the university.
UBD has taken steps to become a world-class research
university and to fulfil the vision of becoming a Top 50
university in Asia by 2015. It is vital for the academic
staff and researchers to update their research
directions and priorities in order to produce good
quality research output beneficial to the country’s
economic development – the forum was thus
organised to discuss current research directions which
could be linked to Brunei’s future economic growth.
The guest speakers, Dr. Hjh May Faezah, Director
General, JPKE and Mr. Vincent Cheong, Chief
Executive Officer, BEDB shared with UBD researchers
how research is supported in Brunei to complement
the development of the country’s economy. Professor
Susumu Yoshikawa, from the University of Kyoto,
who is the Eminent Visiting Professor to UBD’s Energy
Research Group, shared the success story of research
excellence in Kyoto University. Kyoto University has
produced 7 Nobel Laureates and many other world
class award recipients to date. He highlighted how to
position research priorities in the competitive world.
The forum was of great benefit to all current
researchers in the university.
DiscoverRESEARCH
KBFSC Research Highlights: Role of Frogs in
Ecosystems Investigated
Worldwide, amphibian populations are declining
dramatically for multiple and not yet completely
understood reasons. To understand more about
this erosion of diversity and to foresee possible
consequences of this species loss on whole
ecosystems, it is important to investigate the
ecological role of amphibians and the ecosystem
services they provide.
Two graduate students, Bon Wuu Yih from Brunei and
Nikolai Knapp from Germany, are looking for answers
in the Ulu Temburong National Park. Graciously
hosted by the Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre,
both students have recently completed several
months of extremely demanding field work. Only
after passing a course of jungle survival training were
they allowed to start searching for frogs and toads
along the rivers in Temburong to measure them and
identify what they have been eating. The students
were supervised by Associate Professor Dr. Ulmar
Grafe from the Faculty of Science.
Preliminary results indicate that apart from rare
exceptions, the frogs in Temburong are diet
generalists and their diet composition depends
mainly on prey availability. Depending on body size,
their diet can contain various types of insects and
in larger species it can include poisonous scorpions,
centipedes and even small vertebrates like other
frogs. In one case, a Giant River Frog had eaten a
small snake.
Given the large proportion of herbivores in the diet
of the frogs they have investigated, Bon and Nikolai
are hypothesizing that amphibians are critical in the
control of herbivores and might even be important
for maintaining the health of the forest by allowing
young trees and plants to survive.
UBD develops new, more
reliable lead-free solder
By Dr. Ayodele Oladimeji Olofinjana
& Dr. Lim Chee Ming
Lead-free solders are often plagued with reliability
problems because of the distribution of brittle
intermetallics in their microstructures causing
premature failures. Research in UBD has developed
new formulations with improved reliability. The
photograph shows the microstructure of a new leadfree
solder with brittle intermetallics redistributed in
morphological form that benefits reliability. With this
effort, we hope to see lead-free solders becoming
more acceptable in electronic interconnects and
we expect a longer life for miniaturised electronics
including PDAs and mobile phones.
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DiscoverCONFERENCES
Geography & Development and Environmental Studies
academics present papers at urban planning conference
The 44th EAROPH Regional Planning Conference
on 9 and 10 November featured two papers from
the Geography & Development and Environmental
Studies programmes from the Faculty of Arts and
Social Sciences.
In line with the theme of the conference, “Managing
urban growth: Challenges for small cities”, the papers
focused on two different aspects of urban planning in
Brunei.
The first paper, presented by Dr. Jose Edgardo
Aban, assessed how urbanisation can affect the
microclimate of the Brunei-Muara district using
remote sensing methods. The research’s analysis of
Landsat satellite imagery revealed several urban
heat islands (UHI), which can have negative health
and environmental impacts. The paper, titled ‘The
potential impact of urbanisation on climate change:
Brunei Darussalam case study’ suggested that future
urban planning can mitigate the adverse impacts of
localised hotspots by allocating green space where
appropriate, among others.
Science, Technology and Society Research Cluster
organises international workshop with University of Bonn.
From 23-25 September
2011 Universiti Brunei
Darussalam along
with the Center for
Development Research
(ZEF) of the University of
Bonn, Germany, held a
workshop on Science,
Technology and Society.
This workshop constituted
part of the activities of
the Science, Technology
and Society Research
Cluster of the university,
bringing as it did a
multidisciplinary and
international perspective
to the study of issues
concerning the place of
science and technology
in society.
The workshop took the
form of panel sessions in
which eminent invited
speakers gave a paper
and participants then
had the opportunity to
question and discuss
the issue. The sessions
stretched across several
themes: science and
technology policy,
knowledge governance
and innovation diffusion
and science, technology
and education. These
reflected the areas
of interest of both the
STS Cluster at UBD and
also our partners at the
Center for Development
Research in Bonn. They
also reflected areas of
critical importance for
the development of
science and technology
and thus broader
The second paper, presented by Dk Dr. Noor Hasharina
Pg Hj Hassan and produced collaboratively with
Gabriel Yong, Izni Azrein Noor Azalie and Khairunnisa Hj
Ibrahim, evaluated the influence of cultural typology
on space needs in high-rise buildings. Brunei’s housing
development authority is moving towards vertical
housing and this study hoped to contribute towards
effective planning and design of residential high rises.
In “Cultural considerations in vertical living in Brunei
Darussalam”, the researchers used a combined insideroutsider
research method approach to develop the
cultural architecture typologies, such as the newlyemployed,
professional and retired groups, among
others, all of whom have varying preferences in terms
of housing. It also used an online survey that garnered
more than 200 responses and was even published in
The Brunei Times, as well as additional data generated
by a group of students from the AD-3307 Geography
and Development third-year module.
The conference took place at the Empire Hotel and
Country Club. It was attended by urban planners from
Brunei and abroad, as well as academics, policymakers
and architects, among others.
development in Brunei
Darussalam.
The keynote paper by
Prof Dr. Peter Weingart
highlighted the changing
nature of science policy
and its conceptualization
as national innovation
policy and the problems
that can ensue from such
a position. Later papers
also looked at national
science policies both in
Brunei Darussalam and
further afield, as well as,
in particular, the role of
knowledge hubs and
knowledge clusters in
promoting the growth
of new technologies.
Papers by Prof Dr. Hans-
Dieter Evers and others
investigated this concept
in Malaysia and Indonesia,
while Prof Dr. Thomas
Menkhoff described the
situation in Singapore. The
final panel, on science
and technology in
education, investigated
the place of science and
technology in education
in the Phillippines and
Brunei. Other papers
looked at how science
and technology was
influencing development
in countries as far apart
as Korea and Uzbekistan.
The workshop was
significant not only as
the first such event
organised by the STS
Research Cluster, but also
because it epitomizes
the university’s policy
of promoting inter-
and cross-disciplinary
research which has a
practical impact on the
development of the
country. It also highlights
UBD’s policy of building
international links with
well-known centres of
excellence in research
across the world. It is
hoped that we will be
able to follow up this
workshop not only with
published papers, but
also with further research
in the fields covered by
the workshop, some of
which is ongoing, while
the rest is in the proposal
stage under S & T 3.
DiscoverCONFERENCES
Inaugural School Leadership Programme National
Conference is launched at UBD
In keeping with its vision to nurture innovative
leadership and enhance teaching skills among
educators in Brunei, the Ministry of Education in
collaboration with Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD),
through the Institute for Leadership, Innovation &
Advancement (ILIA), officially launched the two-day
inaugural School Leadership Programme National
Conference (SLPNC), on Saturday 22 October 2011 at
UBD Chancellor’s Hall.
Based on the statistics that most of the alumni from
the School Leadership Programme (SLP) have
recorded improvements and exceeded expectations
in schools, SLPNC aims to provide an opportunity
for SLP alumni to develop networks and benchmark
best practices towards achieving excellent teaching
and learning environments that will support student
learning and educational development. A total of
26 schools participated and presented their success
stories in best practices and projects, focusing on the
levels of improvements and practicum experiences
that would contribute towards the leadership
development of their students by nurturing their
knowledge, skills and social development.
In her welcoming remarks Shamsiah Zuraini
Kanchanawati Hj Tajuddin, School Leadership
Programme Leader, mentioned, “The initial goal of
this conference as reflected by this year’s conference
theme `Benchmarking Best Practices’ is to bring all
SLP graduates together in one room so that they can
meet to collaborate not only towards the success
of their own school, but also the success of the
education system as a whole”.
“The conference”, she added, “has brought together
a total of 546 alumni of SLP from 182 schools and
it would observe talks and projects on numeracy,
literacy, entrepreneurship and other subjects
that have been successfully implemented by the
presenting 26 schools”.
“Evidence from different sources shows
that school leaders need specific
training to respond to their broadened
roles and responsibilities in schools.”
“Thus, in order to assist the ministry to meet these
needs, during this conference our school leaders will
also be working together on identifying a range of
supports and training that they require in ensuring the
current and future leaders develop the right skills for
effective leadership,” she highlighted.
The ceremony was officiated by the Minister of
Education, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri
Setia (Dr.) Hj Awg Abu Bakar Hj Apong as Guest of
Honour, who later presented a keynote address and
launched the School Leadership Programme website
(http://www.slpbrunei.edu.bn). He later proceeded
to tour the exhibition booths of the 26 presenting
schools at the UBD Chancellor Hall.
On the second day of SLPNC, Mr. John Turner, the
Director of International Business Unit at the National
College for School Leadership, United Kingdom
delivered a keynote address titled “Licensing Head
Teachers & Principals”. In the afternoon, a 2-hour
workshop was conducted to assess the needs and
wants of the SLPNC participants. The findings and
assessment of the workshop was presented during the
closing of the conference and was concluded with a
speech by Awang Hj Mahrub Hj Murni, the Permanent
Secretary (Core Education), Ministry
of Education.
The Minister of Education, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna
Dato Seri Setia (Dr.) Hj Awg Abu Bakar Hj Apong as Guest
of Honour listens to Mrs. Paula Abdullah, Deputy Principal
of Stella’s School. The Principal of Stella’s School, Lisa K.
Lee, giving moral support.
UBD Vice-Chancellor, Dato Paduka Dr. Hj Zulkarnain Hj
Hanafi looks on.
SLP alumni attending the SLPNC
2nd Day mid-day session: SLPNC Workshop
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DiscoverCONFERENCES
40th Mid-Atlantic Region Association for Asian Study
Annual Conference at Princeton University
By Assoc. Prof. Kong Ho
Associate Professor Kong Ho (Art and Creative
Technology Programme, Faculty of Arts and Social
Science) presented his studio-based research in
painting, titled “Reverberating Chinese Traditional
Folk Art In A Contemporary Context,” at the 40th Mid-
Atlantic Region Association for Asian Studies Annual
Conference at Princeton University in Princeton,
New Jersey, U.S.A. on 22 October 2011. This year’s
two-day conference and one-day teaching Asia
workshop were organised by the Mid-Atlantic Region
Association for Asian Studies (MAR/AAS) and the
Princeton Institute for International and Regional
Studies, Princeton University from 22 to 23 October
2011. The theme of this year’s MAR/AAS annual
conference was “Human Rights and Social Justice in
Asia” and there were 40 panels of presentation with
156 papers presented at this conference. His paper
presentation was scheduled in the panel discussing
Elites and Masses in the Visual Arts, chaired by Prof. Dr.
Marlene Mayo of the University of Maryland.
In his paper, Assoc. Prof. Kong Ho elaborated on
his last research travel to Foshan, China to explore
the traditional Chinese folk arts at the Foshan Folk
Arts Research Institute in May 2011. He shared his
investigation of the Foshan style paper cutting
and its unique aesthetic characteristics with the
audience. He also discussed how to integrate those
aesthetic findings of Foshan style paper cutting into
his recent series of paintings by emphasizing the
shadow depth, linear quality, void space, complex
design and subtle expression of his major symbolic
subject-matters, lotus and bi-sectioned nautilus shell.
Moreover, he showcased his painting process and
details of his recent paintings in order to reveal the
special techniques, such as collage with paper lace,
priming and glazing effects, which he applied to his
new body of work to enhance the integration of the
conceptual and aesthetic aspects of the Foshan
style paper cutting in a new context. His presentation
was well received and a number of questions and
comments raised by the audience inspired him in his
spiritual painting research, especially in the direction
of exploring the initial influence and later impacts of
his cultural heritage and philosophical beliefs on the
development of his symbolic painting.
Besides the paper presentation, Assoc. Prof. Kong
Ho also participated in the guided tour of the Asian
Collection at the Princeton Art Museum and visited
the special exhibition, Multiple Hands: Collective
Creativity in Eighteenth-Century Japanese Painting.
This special exhibition explored the collective artmaking
process which might be overlooked under
the domination of individual creativity in modern art.
The exhibits were offered by the Princeton University
Art Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the
Philadelphia Museum of Art and a private collection.
Assoc. Prof. Kong Ho presented his paper at the Princeton
University in 22 October 2011. (Photo credit: Dr. Martie
Geiger-Ho)
Kong Ho, When Nature’s Paths Cross …, 2011. Acrylic &
collage on canvas, 70 cm high by 70 cm wide (Photo credit:
Kong Ho)
DiscoverCONFERENCES
UBD|IBM Centre Cutting-Edge Research Driven
for National Development
The UBD|IBM Centre has been officially launched by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzadin
Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, during the university’s 25th anniversary
celebration on 15 October 2011 at the Chancellor Hall.
The collaboration between UBD and International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) was first announced by
the monarch during the 22nd Convocation of Universiti Brunei Darussalam on 30 September 2010.
In July 2011, the UBD|IBM Centre held the Global Sustainability Summer School (GSSS 2011), a first of its kind
in Asia, in UBD as part of the UBD 25th anniversary celebration as well as the Centennial year for IBM as a
corporation. The event had brought together researchers and students from leading colleges and universities
across the world as well as the Santa Fe Institute, New Mexico, USA, which held the previous Sustainability
Summer Schools, to discuss technology for sustainability. The event has provided opportunities for local and
international participants to explore and learn from the international eminent speakers on sustainability issues
from the technology perspective with a particular focus on modelling and analysis, and importantly, to attract
local and international participants to enrol in PhD programs or to take up a position as Research Fellows at
the UBD|IBM Centre.
The UBD|IBM Centre, which carries the theme “Innovating for Sustainable Earth”, will conduct cutting-edge
research on the impact of climate change on flood forecasting, crop yields, renewable energy and the
health of rainforests in the region, among others. Proposed research topics include regional climate-weather
modelling and flood forecasting, high resolution modelling of energy systems, renewable energy, distributed
energy management and crop and agricultural systems.
Given the emphasis on modelling, UBD has acquired an IBM Blue Gene (BG/P) supercomputer – the first of
its kind in the South East Asian region – to provide high performance computing power for the collaborative
work. Currently, the centre involves extensive, interdisciplinary collaborative research with IBM research labs
in India, New York, USA (Watson) and Brazil on these cutting-edge Smarter Planet modelling topics using high
performance computing facilities at UBD.
The strength of the UBD|IBM Centre derives from its highly qualified researchers (staff and students) from both
UBD and IBM as well as its advanced modelling facilities, equipped with IBM Blue Gene (BG/P) supercomputer
and accurate weather prediction of “Deep Thunder” model.
The centre’s overall vision is to be one of the world’s leading modelling research centres. Meanwhile, its goals
are to support and facilitate UBD’s vision to become one of the top 50 universities in Asia by 2015, contribute
towards the realization of Wawasan 2035 by developing local human capacity to become highly technical
skilled people, and to become a national centre that works with local stakeholders for national development.
The centre’s first important appointment is the post of the Deputy Director, currently being held by Dr. Awg
Saiful Azmi Hj Awg Husain, a senior lecturer in mathematics from the Faculty of Science.
Within its first year, the UBD|IBM Centre has successfully achieved some of its objectives, based on its
potential high impact publications, in which Dr. Saiful is involved in the research and become one of the coauthors
for the papers, which will be presented in upcoming prestigious conferences, such as the American
Metereological Society. The UBD|IBM Centre also hopes to generate patents for commercialisation as a result
of cutting edge novel research, and engage more PhD students and Research Fellows in UBD|IBM research
and also to develop local capacity building, as well as to hold more international academic activities.
Future research directions beyond climate change modelling include examining the health care system,
reservoir modelling, ocean modelling and genetic modelling-applications in Medicine. The centre also hopes
to someday establish spin-off companies under its name to contribute towards national development and to
provide consultancy and training services to local and international stakeholders.
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