| Lyna Mohamad |
EXPANDING its existing repertoire of programmes and keeping abreast with relevant needs of the nation, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) is offering new programmes for prospective local and international students.
The Master of Science (MSc) in Petroleum Geoscience by the Geological Sciences Programme of the Faculty of Science is intended to develop the human resources required for the development of the oil and gas sector.
Designed for graduates of geosciences or other relevant studies seeking to acquire a broad, applied technical background, the programme prepares them for a professional career in Petroleum Geoscience or may act as a springboard for those planning to embark on a research degree in Petroleum Geoscience.
It addresses the needs of scientists who have worked in the industry, aiming to enhance their technical skills and qualifications.
The MSc in Petroleum Geoscience is a coursework-based programme which includes classes distributed into two semesters.
In the 2nd semester, students are required to undertake a graduate research project based on an industrial case study.
The programme’s duration will be 12-24 months for full time study and 12-48 months for part-time study.
Admission into the programme will only be for August of every year.
The core modules in the programme include Petroleum Geochemistry, Seismic Interpretation, Petroleum Exploration, Formation Evaluation, and a Graduate Research Project. Students can select option modules from Petroleum Sedimentology, Petroleum Structural Geology, Seismic Acquisition and Processing, Introduction to Organic Petrology, Petroleum Geology of Southeast Asia, Petroleum Subsurface Mapping, Unconventional Energy Resources, Production Geology, Sequence Stratigraphy, Reservoir Modelling, Petroleum Economics, Basin Analysis, and Introduction to Petroleum Engineering.
The minimum requirements include at least, a lower second class honours Bachelor degree in Geology/Geophysics or equivalent earth science related or in other related discipline (Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science and Engineering) from a reputable university.
Work experience in relevant fields will also be taken into consideration provided the candidate received a BSc in Science or Engineering with at least third class honours.
UBD’s School of Business and Economics (UBD SBE) also started offering its new Master of Applied Economics, which is designed to provide students a strong foundation in economics and enable them to upgrade their skills in quantitative methods and economic analysis.
The three-semester programme was adopted from the previous Masters of Economics module, a two-semester programme.
The extra semester is intended to provide students sufficient time to complete and submit a good quality research paper.
In addition to coursework, students are expected to undertake independent research as a core module (Research Project) to showcase their ability to integrate theoretical and practical knowledge in economics for real world problems.
It is also an opportunity for them to acquire and enhance skills such as literature review, model solving, project management, organisation, software application, and report writing. Core modules in the programme include Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Applied Econometrics, Research Methodology and Academic Exercise. Students will also choose from a list of option modules such as Financial Economics, Issues in Economics Development, International Trade Theory & Policy, Islamic Economics & Finance, Emerging Issue in Applied Economics, Labour Economics, Environmental Economics, Energy Economics, Money & Banking, Time Series Analysis & Forecasting, Game Theory, Public Sector Economics, Tourism Economics, Resource Economics, and Advanced Statistics.
This programme equips students with the skills needed to practise as a professional economist or relevant positions in the business world in banking, insurance and investment to those in academic settings, government agencies and consulting organisations. It also provides a foundation to undertake further study at the PhD level.
Duration of the programme will be 12-24 months for full time study and 12-48 months for part-time study. Admission will only be for August of every year.
For admission to the Master of Applied Economics, candidates must have a second class honours Bachelor degree in Economics or a related discipline from UBD or a recognised institution.
Subject to the possession of a Bachelor degree, this condition could be relaxed for experienced applicants after determining that they posses the skills to successfully complete the programme.
Undertaking a technological leap, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) offered by UBD SBE has also undergone some improvements.
Starting in August 2019, the programme is now made even more competitive with flexible teaching and learning, using Blended Learning where students experience both online and face-to-face classes.
To suit working professionals, evening classes are also available which enables students to improve their knowledge and skills without taking them away from their working and professional commitments. In this new structure, MBA classes will commence from 6.30pm to 10.30pm whereas online classes take place every alternate week.
This allows professional students the opportunity for more in-depth understanding through self-paced virtual learning and face-to-face classroom interaction without compromising the MBA quality. Its improved structure includes two new core modules, Business Research for Managers and Leadership.
Combinations of optional modules can be created to form streams or specialisation. Six new option modules have been added which include Social Marketing, Human Resource Development, Consultancy Paper, Product and Brand Management, and Employment Relations.
In addition to the new and improved Master programmes, UBD SBE has included the Entrepreneurship major as part of the Bachelor of Business degree.
It is aimed at equipping students with the key skills in entrepreneurship, innovation management, entrepreneurial finance, starting up new ventures, venture growth strategies, and the key skills needed to be self-employed or for taking up employment as entrepreneurial or innovation managers within larger private or public sector organisations.
The programme’s learning objectives will improve the career prospects of the students as innovative entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial managers, acquiring skills that will enable them to move from the idea generation stage to fully creating businesses and innovation projects based on strong understanding of starting, financing, marketing, managing and operating successful entrepreneurial businesses.
Students will study key entrepreneurship modules such as Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, Innovation Management, Entrepreneurial Finance, Venture Growth Strategies, Social Entrepreneurship by Design, Environmental and Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Incubation, and develop retail skills through the Startup Growth and Sustainability Project. Students will also study several business modules that exist in a business degree such as Introduction to Accounting, Principles of Business & Management, Principles of Economics, Business Information System, and Business Ethics.
This undergraduate programme is important, given Brunei Darussalam’s aim of becoming a central hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in Southeast Asia as part of its strategy of economic diversification.
UBD currently leads Brunei Darussalam’s premier initiatives for boosting entrepreneurship in the country.
The National Entrepreneurship Agenda (NEA) and the Entrepreneurship Village (EV) also has a growing track record of incubating startups both within and outside the university.
Other programmes that might be of interest to graduate students include PhD in Public Health, Asian Studies, and Islamic Governance; as well as Master in Environmental Studies, Material Science and Counselling among many others.