Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) kicked off Pesta Konvo 2024 on 5th August 2024 at the Main Library, UBD.
The month-long festival was officially launched by His Royal Highness Prince (Dr) Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Crown Prince, Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Pro-Chancellor of UBD.
Receiving His Royal Highness upon arrival at the opening ceremony were Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah Haji Md Salleh, Minister of Education; Dr Hazri Haji Kifle, UBD Vice-Chancellor; and Muhammad Zulkhairi Jifli Jainuddin, President of the Student Representative Council.
During the opening of Pesta Konvo, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince officially launched the UBD Sustainability Masterplan, a detailed document to help university staff and students incorporate sustainability practices, research, innovation and initiatives that are in line with the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs).
Poised to shape a future where environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic vitality converge harmoniously, UBD’s vision through the Sustainability Masterplan aligns with Wawasan Brunei 2035, which aims for a high quality of life and a dynamic, sustainable economy. The plan commits to integrating sustainability across all university activities, from operations and infrastructure to education and research, fostering a culture of sustainability that prepares future leaders to address global challenges. This year’s Pesta Konvo is themed “Sustainability” and showcases UBD initiatives and research projects that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UBD Sustainability Masterplan.
The UBD Sustainability Masterplan is guided by its five pillars, which the Pesta Konvo exhibition highlighted. The masterplan itself falls under the pillar “Sustainable Stewardship Through Visionary Governance”, which indicates responsible management, wise and ethical management of resources, ensuring long viability of sustainable management, strategic priorities, interdisciplinary research as well as the predication and planning for future challenges and opportunities.
Under the pillar “Driving Innovation Through Sustainability Research”, one project presented by a team led by Dr Faizah Haji Metali and consisted of Yumni Haziqah Mohammad, Anis Nadiah Abdillah, Norafifah Syakirah Muhammad Sofian and Fatih Faizul Arsyad Abdul Qadir Zailani include using waste seaweed from the fish aquaculture industry to implement circular economy-based solutions for valorising waste biomass. The second project by Dr Siti Salwa Abd Khalid and Sarimah Siang featured wildlife biodiversity surveys focused on terrestrial mammals to enhance understanding of conservation needs and support development planning. Another project by Dr Veena Raj and Nur Fitriyani Nabilah Awang Musrapi presented the design and management of floating solar panels to aid the integration of renewable energy. This pillar calls for new creative solutions, innovative projects, green practices, equitable future, economic stability, and a focus on the environment.
Under the pillar “Cultivating Sustainability Champions Through Transformative Education”, Nuur ‘atika Shaifol Bahrom introduced the educational gamification of traditional kueh, immersing players in a world of traditional kueh from Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.This pillar aims to develop sustainability leaders, encourage hands-on learning, sustainability in all curricula, utilising education resources as well as interdisciplinary studies.
Under the pillar “Empowering Sustainable and Resilient Communities through Engagement and Partnership”, two separate upcycling projects by Damia Rafhanah Azyeen Khomeini and Ak Ahmad Haziq Pg Ahmad Sofian featured how plastic and fabric can be upcycled to reduce waste as a result of fast fashion and counter the habit of overbuying clothes. Meanwhile Muhammad Luqman Mohd Jaffari’s project on Brunei driver behaviour hopes to enhance road user awareness as well as aid in the development of automated driving models. This pillar places an emphasis on knowledge sharing and skill development, community resilience, lifelong learning as well as wellbeing through awareness campaigns.
Under the pillar “Futuring Sustainability Through Green Campus”, the automation of a vertical moss wall using advanced automation technology to grow and maintain a vertical moss wall serves as a case study to demonstrate how automation can enhance plant care, making it more efficient and sustainable. Sensors are employed to monitor moisture, light, and temperature levels. Data collected from these systems will help refine the growing conditions, ensuring the moss wall thrives. This project showcased how technology can support sustainable practices at UBD by enhancing air quality, reduces stress, and improves productivity. This pillar encourages an energy efficient campus which leads to the development of a “green campus”, with a focus on waste management, promoting good health and wellbeing as well as utilising eco transportation. Recently on 3rd June 2024, UBD launched an Electric Vehicle for staff and students to travel across the campus. The Electric Vehicle is powered by an ammonia-powered generator that produces zero carbon emissions. The generator, which was exhibited during Pesta Konvo, was developed in collaboration by UBD with Oxgrin Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary company of Oxford Green Innotech which is based in the United Kingdom and a spin-off from Oxford University.
The Pesta Konvo opening ceremony also saw the presentation of Pesambah from the Student Representative Council of UBD Students’ Association (PMUBD) to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
In addition, the Khatam Al-Quran and thanksgiving prayer will be held on 8th August to bless the graduating students in their future endeavours. Pesta Konvo is held annually in the run-up to the Convocation Ceremony to celebrate UBD graduates’ success and achievements while showcasing ideas and creations by its current and graduating students. The 36th Convocation Ceremony is scheduled to take place on 12th August at the Chancellor Hall, in which graduates will receive their scrolls.