| Wani Roslan |
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, and Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB), consented to present graduation certificates to 461 graduates yesterday at the UTB’s 6th Convocation Ceremony held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas.
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.
His Majesty was greeted by Minister of Education Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sulaiman, UTB Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Hajah Zohrah binti Haji Sulaiman, and UTB Acting Registrar and Secretary Lim Chui Hua.
The ceremony commenced with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, followed by the Procession of the Chancellor into the Plenary Hall led by the macebearer holding aloft the Mushaf Al-Quran.
Verses 159–164 of Surah Al-Baqarah were then read by Awangku Yura Alif bin Pengiran Yusofe, a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering student, while its interpretation was read by Hamiz ‘Abdulhadi bin Haji Osman, a graduate of the university’s Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Mechatronic Engineering programme.
This was followed by a welcoming address from Professor Dr Hajah Zohrah, in which she highlighted the university’s landmark achievement of being rated a five-star university in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings.
“As a 10-year-old university, the journey to reach this level has been very challenging, and UTB continues to believe in its potential to make changes to its higher education landscape. We are indeed proud of this achievement,” she said.
The Vice-Chancellor added that UTB will be implementing a number of strategic education improvement plans, one of which is an added emphasis on holistic education and full student development. The university will do this by enriching its curriculum and the learning experience of its students.
Professor Dr Hajah Zohrah said, “UTB is also emphasising collaboration and engagement with industry to enrich teaching and learning in the university, where academic programmes are developed and reviewed in close collaboration with industry and related stakeholders.
“Local and international industry practitioners are also involved as additional academic staff at the university, to share with the students their knowledge and valuable industry experience.
“UTB is also keen to pursue accreditation from the international professional bodies for our academic programmes to maximise our students’ marketability and for the good of their professional careers.”
After Professor Dr Hajah Zohrah’s speech, His Majesty consented to deliver the titah and present certificates to 29 Master’s degree graduates, 418 Bachelor’s degree graduates, and 14 graduates of the Higher National Diploma Level Five.
Among these graduates was the son of Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Jefriah, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Muhammad Abdul Qayyum bin Pengiran Sura Negara Pengiran Anak Haji Muhammad Bey Muntassir.
Before leaving the ceremony, His Majesty and His Royal Highness Prince (Dr) Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah spent time mingling with the fresh graduates and their parents. UTB offers undergraduate – including part-time degrees, Master’s and PhD degree programmes in business, computing, applied science and mathematics, design, and engineering.
To date, the university has produced 5,141 BDTVEC HND, 295 Higher National Diploma Level Five, and 1,333 Bachelor’s and 99 Master’s degree graduates.