Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) held its 35th Convocation Ceremony to celebrate the graduating students from the class of 2023 at UBD’s Chancellor Hall on Monday, 21 August 2023.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Chancellor of UBD and His Royal Highness Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda (Dr) Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pro Chancellor of UBD consented to attend the ceremony.
This year saw a total of 1,149 graduates, consisting of 43 PhD graduates, 268 Master graduates, 792 Bachelor graduates from the 11th batch of UBD’s distinctive GenNEXT programme, as well as 42 Graduate Diploma and 4 Diploma recipients. PhD and Bachelor Degree graduates received their certificates from His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam during the morning session, while Master, Graduate Diploma and Diploma recipients received their certificates in the afternoon from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
Receiving His Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince during the respective sessions was UBD Vice Chancellor Dr Hazri Haji Kifle. After the presentation of graduation certificates, His Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince then consented to view a special exhibition which featured latest scientific findings and innovations.
The School of Digital Science (SDS) featured CareerBN, a solution where recruiters and job seekers meet, aimed at fulfilling their individual requirements. This portal is powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) which provides an easy and convenient system for job seekers to find desired jobs and for recruiters to find the right candidates. The system can recommend jobs/candidates based on user requirements and interests.
The Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences (PAPRSB IHS) unveiled the results of their collaborative studies with the Ministry of Health and Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore. Key findings from the research “Immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines and levels of SARS-CoV2-neutralising antibody in the Bruneian population” looked into the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in the Sultanate, namely AstraZeneca, Moderna and Sinopharm. UBD worked with Duke-NUS Medical School, which developed a virus neutralisation test (cPass) to detect and measure neutralising antibodies — the specific antibodies that are responsible for clearing patients’ viral infection.
The Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER) showcased findings from research on Bunga Simpur. Clues from the genome shows Bunga Simpur produces organic compounds that possess theraputic properties. Compounds from Bunga Simpur plant were subsequently profiled using state-of the art mass spectrometry. The plant extracts were then tested against diverse cancer cell lines. Bunga Simpur roots also show promising activities with an abundance of terpenoid compounds.
His Majesty was then presented with a Pesambah of artworks of both Brunei Darussalam’s national flower, the Bunga Simpur (Dillenia Suffruticosa), and Singapore’s national flower, the Singapore Orchid (Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim).