To establish vital connections with the industries, the Food Science and Technology programme area under the School of Applied Sciences and Mathematics (SASM), Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) held the first Industry Advisory Committee Meeting with public and private food sectors to discuss future strategic directions.
The meeting at UTB was opened with welcoming remarks by UTB Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Hajah Zohrah binti Haji Sulaiman.
She mentioned the titah of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Chancellor of UTB, during the October 2016 UTB Convocation ceremony, acknowledging the establishment which offers Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology.
The programme provides human resource in the non-oil and gas industry and intends to support economic growth of the food industry, in line with the government’s effort to diversify economic resources through foreign direct investment (FDI). His Majesty also hoped the school would be able to elevate UTB as a contributor to the improvement of high-quality food industry, which is able to compete in the international arena.
Professor Dr Hajah Zohrah also highlighted the important role of the Industry Advisory Committee to improve and deliver a globally recognised degree programme that can produce high quality graduates to serve the nation.
UTB will work closely with relevant organisations through various collaborations in research, projects and work placement to create future employment opportunity that can be mutually beneficial to UTB and the organisations.
UTB produces graduates not only in food science and technology but also in other disciplines such as engineering, computing and informatics, design, architecture, business and management.
Present at the meeting were Saahtain Asia Sdn Bhd CEO Adeel Ali Khan, Ghanim International Corporation CEO Dr Nur Rahman, GroPoint Sdn Bhd CEO Lee Wei Sheng, and representatives from Golden Corporation Sdn Bhd, Kingston Beverage and Creamery Sdn Bhd, Mr Baker’s Bakeshop, PDS Abattoir Sdn Bhd, Health Promotion Centre of the Ministry of Health, Department of Agriculture and Agrifood of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, Department of Scientific Services, Ministry of Health, and Halal Food Control Division of the Syariah Affairs Department, Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The progress of the ongoing programme and future plans was also discussed among UTB staff and the advisory committee members. The committee also provided feedback on current and future skill and knowledge needed in food science and technology for the development of the country’s food sectors and strategy requirements of Brunei Vision 2035.
The growing trends in food security, food safety, healthy food, appealing food supply and prosperity of people and the environment were also highlighted in the meeting.
The first cohort of students for Food Science and Technology programme area joined UTB in July 2017 and will graduate in 2021.