Vice Chancellor lauds UBD’s Progress
By Lyna Mohammad

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Vice Chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Dato Dr Hj Ismail Duraman, disclosed that since the 16" Convocation, the university has moved forward by offering various programmes.

The vice chancellor, who spoke during Tuesday's 17th convocation, highlighted that efforts made by the university had paid off by producing graduates in various fields, who will contribute to the development of the nation.

UBD has started to offer various professional programmes, which it was unable to do so in the past due to technical reasons. These programmes have received an encouraging response from applicants abroad.

Other professional fields such as Accounting and Finance programme, which previously was a twining programme with other universities abroad, will soon be fully conducted by UBD.

As for the Engineering programme, it will be expanded into other fields.

In its 20 years of establishment, UBD has gained the capability to offer professional programmes through its network to well-known institutions and professional bodies, both locally and abroad.

Science and IT programmes, meanwhile, have also been well received by local students. The vice chancellor hoped that this trend would continue to assist the nation in increasing the number of future scientists that is much needed in the nation's development.

Another obvious development is the increase of postgraduate programmes that have just recently been introduced.

Local academic staff members, who have returned home after successfully gaining their Masters and PhDs, are now able to fill in and supplement the needs of various faculties.

Degree programmes in Environment Management and Health Management have also started last August.

In an effort to upgrade research, the university has sent personnel from the Postgraduate and Research Unit along with several faculty deans to conduct visits to several institutions abroad.

The visit to selected institutions that have established advance research centres is to gain knowledge in assisting UBD to propose for the upgrade of the unit to a centre that would manage a more efficient, intensive and effective postgraduate learning and research programme.

With regard to the suggestion by His Majesty's Government to increase qualified human resources in the Science and Technology field, the university will continuously update its academic programmes.

The foundation to reassess teaching programmes at all levels, activating research and community services by preserving the uniqueness of the Bruneian identity as a absolute trademark, is in line with its 20-year strategic plan to become a first class and international university.

Meanwhile, the university's administration will be establishing a special unit - Strategic Management Office - to carry- out surveillance in ensuring that strategic plans would run smoothly at all levels, Dato Hj Ismail said.

The Entrepreneurs Development Unit is also active in helping graduates who want to be involved in entrepreneurship through its `GETUP' workshop project.

Also being continuously implemented is the Learner Development Programme, which will build positive and proactive characteristics amongst UBD students. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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