| Syazwani Hj Rosli |
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 yesterday consented to receive the conferment of the Honorary Doctorate in Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB).
His Majesty who is also the UTB Chancellor, also consented to present certificates to 802 graduates of UTB during the officiation of the UTB Convocation 2017.
Accompanying His Majesty was His Royal Highness Prince (Dr) Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and Pro-Chancellor of UTB.
The event was held at the Plenary Hall of the International Convention Centre (ICC), Berakas.
Prior to His Majesty receiving the Honorary Doctorate, Professor Dr Hajah Zohrah binti Haji Sulaiman, the Vice-Chancellor of UTB, presented the citation.
She elaborated on the monarch’s contribution in the development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through STEM education, physical infrastructure and basic amenities for the comfort of the people, development of information and communication system infrastructure and the use of high technology in the oil and gas industry as well as alternative energy generation.
According to her, His Majesty has emphasised on the importance of STEM education as the main component for a nation’s development in helping to generate critical thinkers, improve literacy and produce the next generation of innovators.
She also highlighted that the Government of His Majesty has implemented development plans in granting land and houses to the landless so that they will be able to enjoy a better living standard.
There are also other development projects including upgrading of the Brunei International Airport (BIA), the construction of Sungai Kebun Bridge and Temburong Bridge, Bandar Seri Begawan Transformation Project and Sungai Kedayan Regeneration Project, among many others.
Touching on His Majesty’s efforts in the development of the information system and communication infrastructure, Professor Dr Hajah Zohrah referred to the launching of the international cable link through submarine cables, the implementation of Fibre-to-the-Home project, and others that will help enhance competitiveness and become an attraction to increase investors’ confidence in the country.
She said His Majesty has also allocated a budget to implement e-government projects under the eighth National Development Plan such as TAFIS in 2001, GEMS (Government Employee Management System) in 2008 and BruHIMS (Brunei Darussalam Health-care Information and Management System) in 2013 as part of His Majesty’s effort in enhancing the development of information and communication infrastructure in Brunei.
Apart from establishing the power generation plan in 2010 that generates 1,344 Megawatt-hour per year that provided electrical energy for 200 houses and also reducing the absorption power of carbon dioxide emissions of approximately 260 hectares of forests, His Majesty had also urged the development of two industrial sites, including the Sungai Liang Industrial Park (SPARK) and Pulau Muara Besar (PMB) intended to develop oil support services and downstream activities such as petrochemical refineries.
Professor Dr Hajah Zohrah also touched on the discovery of the new oil and gas well in April 2017 in the Lumut area, with the application of new, advanced seismic processing technology that has the potential to contribute 15 per cent, equivalent to six billion dollars, of Brunei’s annual budget.
In the citation, she said it is wise for the university to honour His Majesty with the Honorary Doctorate in Engineering in view of the ruler’s opinion, role and contribution in building the security and prosperity of the country towards the development and enhancement of STEM education system.
She also highlighted the numerous Honorary Doctorates His Majesty has received from local and international universities including Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB), King’s College London (KCL), National University Singapore (NUS), University of Oxford, Queensland University, Chulalongkorn University, University of Indonesia, Universiti Malaya, Beijing Foreign Studies University and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
His Majesty and His Royal Highness were greeted on arrival by Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, the Minister of Education and Chairman of the UTB Council; the Vice-Chancellor of UTB; and Jennifer Hiew-Lim, the Registrar and Secretary of UTB.
Soon after his arrival, Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti recited Surah Al-Fatihah followed with the procession of the Chancellor into the Plenary Hall led by the Bentara (mace-bearer) holding aloft the Mushaf Al-Quran.
His Majesty consented to deliver a titah conferring the Master’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Foundation Degree (Higher National Diploma Level 5) and Higher National Diploma to recipients listed in the Convocation Book.
This was immediately followed by the call of Takbir by the graduates and all present. His Majesty then consented to present Master’s Degree to 66 graduates; Bachelor’s Degree to 359 graduates; Higher National Diploma Level 5 to 119 graduates; and BDTVEC Higher National Diploma to 258 graduates.
At the end of the ceremony, the Doa Selamat was read by the State Mufti. His Majesty and His Royal Highness consented to mingle with the graduates and their family members before leaving the event.
The post UTB confers Honorary Doctorate in Engineering on Sultan appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.