| Lyna Mohamad |
UNIVERSITI Teknologi Brunei (UTB) is leveraging on its diverse campus environment with first-rate faculties and international reputation for innovation and research to address today’s challenges and ensuring that its graduates are marketable and industry-ready.
Masters by Research in Engineering student from Malaysia, Angel Tan Eng Hie commented that learning in UTB reduces the chance of job mismatch by facilitating smooth transition from academic to the working environment.
This, she added, saved for three years for her tuition fee to enrol into UTB’s Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Civil with Structural Engineering and pursued on with her postgraduate study also at UTB.
Tan also shared her satisfaction in the quality of education she gained from the university where she noted that not only does UTB have experienced lecturers, the students are also provided with invaluable industrial knowledge that enhance their theoretical understandings.
The lecturers-turned-supervisors and mentors guide the students constructively in their studies and lecturers with prior work experiences often would share their hands-on knowledge and their perspectives and highlight points that are less discussed in the books.
“I believe UTB is equally competitive as any other regional and international universities.
“Furthermore, studying in UTB allows me to be closer to my family and the best part was I can complete my degree at a fraction of the cost.
“This is in particular an important factor for prospective students facing financial constraint,” she added.
Having a son who will turn six in April, Tan noted that the understanding of the lecturers and the flexibility given to her is important in her role as a mother.
“I love the fact that both the lecturers and non-academic staff here are very understanding and supportive, because I am a mother and with the continuous support given, I can juggle family commitments,” she said.
UTB’s reputation as a ‘hands-on’ and interactive school meanwhile kindled Lu Shir Mao’s interest in pursuing his architectural studies in UTB.
The School of Design’s Architecture student said that despite being a new course, the School of Design launched in August last year has been very active. Local and international industry practitioners are also involved as UTB’s adjunct staff, enabling students to benefit from first-hand knowledge and experience of the industry.
Lu is also excited to share and contribute his knowledge in developing Brunei’s architecture and what he particularly enjoy at UTB is the friendship of people, where everyone’s respects each other and shares knowledge.
A Masters by Research student from the School of Applied Sciences and Mathematics Nurhazirah binti Nurazmy on the other hand shared that UTB offers programme that allows her to pursue her passion in food sciences and technology and hopes to contribute to the development of the Agri-food industry in the country.
“From my research projects, I would like to develop products for the local and export market. Once I graduate from UTB, I can see myself applying my research skills in developing the agricultural sectors in line with 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’s titah on developing agriculture in the country,” she said.
Nurhazirah also added that besides having approachable lecturers, UTB has helped her to become more independent.
She also realises that her communication skills have improved from her experiences during workshops, conferences and public speaking.
She further noted that UTB allows her to meet new people and improve her communication skills that are beneficial for her personal development and it also pushes her to become more independent that allows her to do her best in achieving her utmost potential and talents in research studies.
Opportunity to attend briefings, conferences, workshops and site visits are some of the things she enjoyed best at UTB and the university also has that calming environment unlike other universities that she has been to before.
Current PhD student, Nurul Izzati Naqibah binti Zaidi, who is also a young entrepreneur and founder of Mayang Couture said that UTB has created a platform for her to be the best person she could ever have imagined, venturing into areas she never thought she would.
Both UTB and UTB School of Business helped her change her views and perspectives on what can be achieved especially for young entrepreneurs and as a student and while pursuing her Degree in Technology Management last few years, it opened up her eyes and encouraged her to build he own start-up company, and venture into oil and gas business.
“At UTB, we are encouraged to go beyond our comfort zone and see obstacles as opportunities. I must admit it is hard but it doesn’t stop me because in life we can always slow down, but we should never stop,” said the 25-year old entrepreneur.
She has also encountered failures several times, but with continuous support from the university she is still able to withstand the challenges and is also grateful that UTB has helped her realise her dreams by opening up her own Mayang Couture Boutique at the university campus last year.
“What I would like other students to realise is that starting a business is for everyone even though you are still a student and UTB provides the best foundation for this.
“This is the reason why I chose UTB and why UTB is different from others,” said Nurul Izzati.
UTB alumni, Naasiruddeen bin Abdul Wahab said UTB nurtured his leadership, decision-making and management skills.
This helped him throughout the process of applying for an engineering job with Brunei LNG.
UTB was his university of choice because of the high marketability of its courses especially in engineering and UTB’s balance in education and non-academic activities are its strengths which he believes can create a lot of successful graduates Naasiruddeen, a Bachelor of Engineering graduate in Electrical and Communication Engineering was also the President of UTB Student Council 2014/2015, and he was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s award in 2016.
Another alumni, Qamaruzzaman bin Affandy meanwhile saw the potential from the prospects offered by UTB, as it matched what other universities offered globally.
“UTB has always been known for its capabilities in equipping students with technical abilities,” he said adding that with its numerous research efforts and co-curricular activities, it is known for producing well-rounded graduates.
Qamaruzzaman, who currently works as a Database Administrator in Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) added that UTB has definitely provided him with a platform during the six years (from Higher National Diploma to Undergraduate Degree) of studies and helped him grow to be where he is now.
“Looking back and seeing where I am now, I definitely made the right decision,” he said.