Workshop on Modelling and Simulation:
Agro-technology opportunities

Purple Jade, Level 6, Centrepoint
Wednesday, 24 February 2010

 

Aim and Scope

In ensuring the security of food supply and enhance economic contribution to GDP, Brunei Darussalam places much importance in agriculture and agri-food development, by actively promoting development of various agricultural commodities through agricultural activities. Agriculture activities are mainly centered on the production of food commodities. For the past decade, the trend of the agriculture production has been impressive with the value of primary production increased from $82.56 million in 1996 to $158.98 million in 2005.

In 2008, the livestock sector including processed products continued to dominate the agricultural sector development with the market value of $131.6 million compared to crop sector and its processed products with an output value of $ 93.88 million, which contributed about 58% and 42% to the total agriculture output, respectively. Opportunities exist in all areas of agricultural production and agribusiness, ranging from primary production and food processing to providing professional services. The Government of Brunei Darussalam has given the support and commitment for the substantial funding set aside under the National Development 2007-2012 for research projects in three main areas, namely energy, biodiversity and agro-technology. The Brunei Agro-Technology Park will also be built on 263-hectare site development close to the capital Bandar Seri Begawan, capital city of Brunei Darussalam. The park will attract research and innovative technology applicants with a particular focus on life sciences-based activities in agriculture, fisheries and forestry. The park will also be as an industrial site for manufacturing, storage, transportation, research and development and other Halal related support services. The Universiti Brunei Darussalam, is committed to support these initiatives for agro-technology opportunities through research and innovations, human resource development and professional services. In all these three main areas, Modelling & Simulation will have huge contributions, because Modelling & Simulation can help to find the most effective solutions to scientific problems by avoiding time consuming and costly experiments, and consequently playing key roles in providing research and innovative technology applications to support economic diversification.

In the above context and as a part of its transition to a research hub of international standing, the Universiti Brunei Darussalam has established specific research cluster on Modelling & Simulation. The proposed workshop marks the beginning of research and development activities of these clusters. Broad objective of the workshop are:

1. To launch the activities of the Modelling & Simulation research cluster.
2. To deliberate on the recent advances in these areas of research.
3. To brainstorm on the focus and future action plans of this cluster.
4. To assist the Research Cluster to develop into recognized Research Centre in the region.

The workshop will provide a forum for the participants to share and discuss the latest developments in modelling and simulation related to agriculture, and promoting active engagement of agro-entrepreneurs comprising the large commercial producers, small and medium size entrepreneurs (SMEs) and traditional subsistent farmers with increasing interest in commercial production of agribusiness.

Workshop Venue and Schedule

Purple Jade, Level 6, Centrepoint would be the venue for the workshop. The workshop would have the opening ceremony followed by 3 key note sessions (1 in the morning & 2 in the afternoon). All these sessions will be open to invited guests, participants from the UBD & ITB, Agriculture Department, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Ministry of Development, Business Entrepreneurs and UBD students.

On 22 February 2010, there will be a closed door brain storming session involving the Cluster members and invited guests in which future action plans for the development of the Modelling & Simulation Research cluster would be discussed. There will also be discussions with the Agriculture Department & those Ministries concerned on matters related to Agro-technology opportunities.

 

Day 1: (22 February 2010):

9.00 am- 12 Noon:	Closed Door Meeting with Research Cluster members and invited guests.
2.00-4.00 pm:	Meeting with Agriculture Department/meeting with Relevant Ministries regarding Agro-Technology Opportunities

Day 2: (23 February 2010): Public Holiday(National Day Celebration)

Day 3: (24 February 2010):

8.30-9.15 am :	Registration
9.30 am :	Opening Ceremony begins
	Recitation of Doa
	Welcoming Remarks by the Chairman
	Speech by the Guest of Honour
	Official launch of Workshop and M & S Research Cluster
	Refreshments
10.30-11.30 am:	Key-note talk 1 Q & A
12.00-2.00 pm:	Lunch Break
2.00-3.00 pm:	Key note talk 2
3.00-4.00 pm:	Key note talk 3 Q & A
	End of workshop
4.30 pm:	Refreshments

Day 4: (25 February 2010): Collaborative Research Activities (Whole Day)

 

Organised by

 

Organised by
Modelling and Simulation
Research Cluster
Office of Assistant Vice-Chancellor