| Hakim Hayat |
UNIVERSITI Brunei Darussalam (UBD)’s annual grand celebration of the convocation, UBD Convocation Festival 2018, kicked off yesterday with a showcase of innovative and creative student and alumni projects and entrepreneurial endeavours of the UBD Botanical Research Centre.
The month-long festival was launched by His Royal Highness Prince (Dr) Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Pro-Chancellor of UBD.
After officiating the UBD Convocation Festival 2018, His Royal Highness planted a tree on the UBD Botanical Research Centre ground.
The plant, Dipterocarpus borneensis V Slooten, locally known as Keruing Sindur or Resak Kerangas, is native to Brunei Darussalam but a threatened endemic species due to agricultural expansion and logging activities. It is the only dipterocarpus species that grows in a tropical heath forest.
This year’s Convocation Festival theme ‘ILM’ stands for Innovation, Leadership and Mastery.
When pronounced as ‘ilm’, it shares its meaning with the Arabic term and Malay word ilmu which means knowledge.
The UBD in a press statement said the theme highlights the importance of innovation which has significant benefits to a society. “Innovation attests to the originality and ingenuity of UBD’s research work and knowledge creation, which culminates in being leaders and master of knowledge. The three qualities will ensure a well-educated and highly-skilled workforce and the development of a dynamic and sustainable national economy,” the statement added.
This year, UBD aims to explore its collective knowledge and research to focus on one of its key strengths, which is in the field of environmental and biodiversity research, sustainable development and green energy.
Organised by the Student Affairs Section and UBD Students’ Association (PMUBD) with assistance from the Office of Promotion and Events Management (OPEM), the Convocation Festival will host a variety of exhibitions to celebrate the success of its current and graduating students.
Some of the highlights of the exhibition include the Coat Guard 003, a product licensed for commercialisation by a UBD spin-off company, Smart Coating Technologies Sdn Bhd; bioactivities of food products derived from stingless bees (lebah kelulut); phytochemical and biological studies of Pawas (litsea elliptica); diversity of seaweeds in Brunei and their potential for commercialisation; and one-arm wheelchair.
The opening ceremony yesterday also saw the presentation from the Student Representative Council of PMUBD of a pesambah handmade by UBD alumni to His Royal Highness.
As part of UBD’s convocation ceremony, a host of activities are being organised including a Khatam Al-Quran and Doa Kesyukuran ceremony to be held on August 21 to bless the graduating students in their future endeavours, sports competitions, PMUBD Carnival, Healthy Living Week and World Wide Week which will showcase the diversity of international culture in UBD.
The Convocation Festival is held annually in the run-up to the convocation ceremony to celebrate UBD graduates’ success and achievements while showcasing ideas and creations by its current and graduating students. Each year, the Convocation Festival brings different themes and exhibitions of students’ works.
The 30th Convocation Ceremony is scheduled to take place on August 29 at the Chancellor Hall, UBD.
Among those present at the opening ceremony were Deputy Minister of Education Datin Seri Paduka Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh, Vice-Chancellor of UBD Datin Dr Hajah Anita Binurul Zahrina binti Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Wijaya Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Aziz and UBD Council members.