Bandar Seri Begawan - A poster presentation was recently held for graduate research students at the Inspiring Hall, Student Centre of the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD). It was organised by the Programme Leader of Research and Publication from the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Education (SHBIE), Associate Professor Dr Josage Sudharman Henry Quintus Perera.

The guests of the event consisted of SHBIE staff and Masters students from the faculty.

Currently, there are nine graduate research students in the faculty, among whom are four Bruneians and five international students.

An opening speech by the Dean of SHBIE, Dr Jainatul Halida binti Jaidin, she said that the presentation would be an annual event as it encourages graduate research students to be more confident and at the same time gain valuable experience by exchanging thoughts amongst the graduate students and lecturers.

With regards to the event, Associate Professor Dr Quintus said, "I think it is a very good start and I am very pleased because this gives a very good opportunity for the graduate students to interact with our staff and all others. In addition, they will have to explain their research to us and give us an idea of their individual interests. Overall, I hope there will be a greater integration of the graduate research students and the SHBIE community."

He also stated that the poster presentation displays the different stages of development of their work and serves as a good motivation to people who want to start doing research.

Ahmed Adeel Naseer and Asiyath Mohamed Didi, a husband and wife PhD students from the Maldives, are amongst the presenters. Ahmed Adeel commented that the event can ,boost the graduate research, students' confidence and that it can lead them towards the right thought process for carrying out research.

He said, "The inputs of the lecturers who commented on our posters are likely the kind of thoughts that we never think about, and it was nice to have them either confirm our thoughts or bring in new ideas for us. Thus, sharing ideas and knowledge is very important, especially in the academic world."

Asiyath, on the other hand, also added that this programme is a good initiative, where graduate students have the opportunity to know each other and get some educational feedback from the lecturers.

Abdulwasiu Isiaq Nasirudeen, a Nigerian PhD candidate, whose research is on Teaching the Arabic language to non-native speakers and its development in the light of Total Management principles, also shared a similar feeling, sharing of knowledge and ideas is a good benchmark to start improving.

In addition, Alhassan AbdulRazak Kuyini, from Ghana, who is doing a research on Teachers' pedagogical competencies to include children with learning difficulties in regular classes in Ghana, was joyous about the event as it also maintains educational ties between students and the faculty staff, as well as between Bruneian students and International students.

A local PHD student, Halimaturradiah binti Dato Hj Metussin, is currently doing research on the Gender Gap in Brunei's Higher Education Institutions.

"The need of research should not be regarded lightly. It is a tool for academicians to play their part and improve our daily living conditions and interactions," she commented on the focus of research in the educational sphere.

The PhD poster presenters were Hjh Azlinah binti Hj Matsarudin, Hjh Nani Suziana binti Hj Abdul Talib, Halimaturradiah binti Dato Hj Metussin, Alhassan AbdulRazak Kuyini, Abdulwasiu Isiaq Nasirudeen, Ahmed Adeel Naseer and Asiyath Mohamed Didi.

In the Masters level, the poster presenters were Minako Iwata Keaney (an international student from Japan) and Victoria Chong.

All of these postgraduate research students are currently undertaking different stages of their respective research interests.

They have high hopes to publish their, work to the academic world, and potentially one day make a difference for their respective country's development.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin