| Azaraimy HH |
A SPECIAL exhibition, held as part of the 30th Convocation Ceremony of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) yesterday, highlighted the university as a world-class higher learning institution which is capable of producing graduates that are research-oriented and technology-driven as well as the next generation of Brunei’s job-creating entrepreneurs.
The exhibitors – all UBD-born entrepreneurs – were connected by three factors – the ability to generate sustainable income, the ability to show growth and expansion and the ability to provide employment opportunities to locals.
Head of Entrepreneurial Village at Universiti Brunei Darussalam Adna Rahman said, “For this 30th Convocation Ceremony, UBD is proud to present a variety of entrepreneurs from classical businesses to technology and patent-based start-ups. This year’s exhibits focus on sustainable income, growth and expansion strategies with the key objective to provide employment opportunities to fellow graduates, entailing UBD’s vision to produce job creators as opposed to job-seekers.”
One of the UBD-born start-ups in the convocation exhibition was Smart Coating Technologies Sdn Bhd, a graduate-owned business which has effectively commercialised UBD research into an internationally recognised product.
Another exhibitor is Quaezar Engineering and Construction which founded solarbrunei.com, a local company that specialises in installation of solar power at homes and industries.
In an interview, one of its partners, Hamidah binti Haji Ismail, said, “We started our project in 2015 while doing our PhD. We’ve done our MSc in Energy Studies and during the period, we got exposed to people abroad who are in similar industries. First we decided to try to market our product in Brunei. We started very small by selling solar lights to home owners. Now we’re supplying products and doing work for corporations and the government.”
Another exhibitor, Malai Ezzan Enterprise, is run by 23-year-old Malai Ezzan bin Malai Hazrahrin. Malai said his business, which now has 26 local staff, officially began live snack catering five months ago, starting with just cotton candy. The company expanded to popcorn, ice-cream and is planning to start a shawarma and beverage station for special events such as birthdays, weddings and business functions.
“We are a social enterprise and we aim to help local youth to develop the mindset of Generasi Bekarih, and inspire them to make opportunities instead of waiting for opportunities. We share our profits with our staff. In the future, we plan to purchase a van to help those who are willing to work but have transportation problems,” he added.
Another exhibitor is AE Cinema BN, or short form, ae.bn, run by Haji Yusrizam bin Haji Abdul Tahir and Awangku Sulaiman bin Pengiran Haji Aman.
Haji Yusrizam said, “We founded the business in 2012 and we do commercial photography and videography for business, especially small and medium enterprises. We established the company before we were in UBD, but with us being in UBD, we are able to do the business much more properly.” Haji Yusrizam graduated yesterday at the convocation.
Another UBD-born entrepreneur, Raymond Merom, who founded Al-Ra’ed Collection, said, “Established in 2016, Al-Ra’ed Collection makes traditional yet stylistic kurta and jubah, using Brunei’s traditional woven fabric, better known as Kain Songket. Al-Ra’ed now has agents and branches both locally and regionally.”
With the vision of collaborating with and helping out fellow entrepreneurs, Al-Ra’ed Collection aims to expand its market in Southeast Asia by 2020. Raymond too graduated yesterday.
