With the theme 'Enhancing Research Prowess', the Brunei Students' Research Symposium (BSRS) 2016 took place recently at Imperial College London.

The symposium's aimed to enhance the students' research qualities and quantities at both postgraduate and undergraduate level in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. The event provided a unique platform for students to showcase their research and generate quality discussions amongst attendees regarding research areas, in order to elevate research quality and quantity in the future.

It was organised by the Brunei Postgraduate Society in the United Kingdom in collaboration with Imperial College Union Bruneian Society (ICUBS), London, with support from Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Brunei Students' Union, and Brunei Investment Agency, according to a press release from the Brunei Students' Union (BSU).

The event was co-chaired by Dayangku Nuramalina Hafizah binti Pengiran Haji Mumin from University of Oxford, and Awang Md Iznan bin Haji Tarip from Lancaster University respectively.

The guest of honour was Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin .0rang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, Brunei Darussalam High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Also in attendance were officials from the Brunei Darussalam High Commission, Brunei Students' Union, and the Brunei Investment Agency in London.

The event started off with a keynote speech given by Chair Professor David Koh, Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) on the research climate in Brunei, particularly from UBD's standpoint.

He mentioned the importance of capitalising on research as being key to nation building, adding that UBD is especially keen on helping researchers in this area.

He added that many of the research done by UBD has great potential for obtaining patents as well as future commercialisation.

A panel discussion ensued on the topic 'Globalising Brunei: Where are we in this interconnected world?' Two panellists contributed to the discussion, Javed Ahmed, Managing Director of Fajr Capital; and Allen Lai, Director of Asia Inc Forum where they shared their past experience of being nurtured in Brunei and then developing themselves in the global arena.

Both panellists highlighted that Brunei already has plenty of potential to project itself in the global arena, but the main game changer is within the Bruneians themselves.

One key advice given to attendees was to "be hungry" in developing oneself, to take on any opportunities, and never to doubt one's own abilities.

The symposium then proceeded with 18 presentations and seven poster presentations of students all studying in the UK.

Two highlight speakers were chosen to showcase the breadth of research interests amongst students. Awang Md Sabri bin Md Ali from the University of Oxford presented his research 'Control of Chloroplast Development and Its Potential Application in Agriculture', and Awang Abdul Mu'izz bin Abdul Khalid of University College London presented on 'The development of Brunei into becoming a Zikir Nation'.

The event concluded with prize presentations to two chosen best presenters, Awang Ayyub Kamaludin of Imperial College London and Dayang Khairunnisa Ibrahim of University of Oxford, with the best poster awarded to Madihah Harun of University of Reading.

BSRS 2016 is the 3rd instalment of BSRS since 2013 and the 5th symposium since 2009 including Brunei Postgraduate Symposium 2009 and 2010.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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