| Izah Azahari |
SIX of Universiti Teknologi Brunei’s (UTB) core values are being highlighted in the ‘π3ES’ Exhibition staged alongside the university’s Convocation Festival 2018 launched yesterday.
Touring the exhibition after launching the festival was 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 UTB.
‘π3ES’, pronounced ‘pie cube ess’, is the theme of the UTB Convocation Festival this year, which represents six qualities – Pious, Professional, Passionate, Innovative, Engaging and Scholarly – the core values adopted and practised by the UTB community in achieving the institution’s vision of becoming a ‘global university’ to create a lasting positive impact on society.
The exhibition is segmented into these six core values. The first component ‘Pious’ signifies embracing and cultivating the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) philosophy, and upholding the Islamic faith and demonstrating patriotism with full commitment and honesty as well as embodying a noble, disciplined personality and cultural values under the guidance of Allah the Almighty.
Several exhibits showcasing the initiatives of the UTB students and graduates to instil MIB values in their studies on campus and in their daily routines are on display under the component.
Among the exhibited items presented in the form of e-books are prayer compilations as well as downloadable mobile applications such as Bru Tausyeh and Masjidku. Other exhibits included a comic character called Noh by a lecturer from the university’s Centre of Communication, Teaching and Learning Dr Malai Yunus bin Malai Yusof. (Noh is a character who embodies MIB values.)
The second part of the exhibition was ‘Professional’. This virtue represents the upholding of the code of ethics governing behaviours in all endeavours as well as rendering services with a high degree of professionalism in all aspects of work.
The component was highlighted in UTB’s strategies in upgrading the professionalism of the university’s students and graduates through the offering of accredited academic programmes and the students’ involvement with professional bodies.
This segment features activities carried out by the UTB students early in their studies through interactions with professional bodies facilitated by the university’s Student Chapters. These Chapters include IET-Student on Campus, SPE-UTB Student Chapter, PUJA-UTB Student Chapter, IchemE-UTB Student Chapter, and ImechE-UTB Student Chapter.
The third component, ‘Passionate’, represents a strong drive to be intrinsically motivated and consistently committed to align, pursue and realise UTB’s vision and mission. It creates a conviction and provides an impetus for excellence.
In this section, projects of students who have graduated with first-class honours degrees are displayed. Examples include the Gamification of Learning Management System under the Creative Computing Programme, Crime Record Management and Analysis using GIS under the Computing Information System Programme, Production of 500MTD Methanol via Coal Gasification under the Faculty of Engineering, Self-Trackam under the Creative Computing Programme, and Cylisthub from the Computing Information Systems Programme.
The fourth component ‘Innovative’ symbolises the ability to bring creative ideas into life resulting in enhanced performance and growth through efficiency, quality and productivity and to optimise the use of available resources to lead in research, teaching and learning as well as to improve operational efficiency.
Projects on display under this section include the ‘IoT Based Solar Powered Car Interior Cooling and Monitoring System’, the ‘CheckMate: An Artificially Intelligent System or Assisting in Diagnosis of Minor Illnesses’ exhibit, and the ‘Effectiveness of I-Centre and Measuring the factors affecting entrepreneurial intention among UTB School of Business Students’ exhibit.
The ‘Engaging’ section meanwhile demonstrates the establishment and enrichment of constructive relationship between UTB and its stakeholders through constant and supportive communication, as well as the fostering of strong and sustainable relationships with the stakeholders through ‘quadruple Helix engagement’.
It showcases UTB’s engagement with industry and academic communities at various levels including the government and public sectors. Stakeholders participating in the exhibition include Sesame World Technology STI Lab, Oil and Gas Discovery Centre (OGDC) and the Ministry of Communications.
The exhibition’s last category, ‘Scholarly’, highlights the dissemination of knowledge through high-quality teaching, learning, research and innovation and also promotes independent learning and developing of knowledgeable society towards realising the aspirations of Vision 2035.
This segment showcases selected projects by the university’s graduating postgraduate students. Examples include projects such as the ‘Assessment of Water Quality in Brunei River Catchment’, ‘Analysis of Scouring Effects on Bridge Piers’ and ‘Review of Design Guidelines on Slope in Brunei Darussalam’.
His Royal Highness also viewed the ‘Garden of Robotics’ display, which showcases a number of robotics projects, including a 3D printing exhibit demonstrating the design, modelling and fabrication of selected items using a 3D printer.
Other robotics projects on show include the ‘Cost Effective Line Following Robot for Hospital Delivery’, which demonstrated how medical supplies are transported within a hospital in the most cost-effective way, as well as the ‘Prosthetic Hand’ – theoretically developed for disabled patients.