Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) took a significant step in strengthening its collaboration with industry stakeholders through the Industry Engagement and Enterprise Development (IEED) Exchange event held at the Student Centre Building, UBD on 4th September 2024.
Organised by the Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Industry Engagement & Enterprise Development) yesterday, the event attracted over 70 attendees, including UBD senior management team and principal officers, industry professionals, academia, researchers, alumni, and students. The gathering commenced with the introduction of the newly appointed OAVCIEED management team, along with an overview of upcoming initiatives for the 2024/2025 academic year.
In his welcoming address, Dr. Haji Masairol Haji Masri, Assistant Vice-Chancellor for Industry Engagement and Enterprise Development, outlined the event’s objectives, which included presenting initiatives focused on the launching of five resources and innovative entrepreneurial training and workshops for students. According to him, ‘These programs are pivotal in equipping them with the skills necessary to thrive in dynamic business environments and foster groundbreaking ideas into successful ventures.’
Dr Haji Masairol emphasized the importance of fostering active dialogue with industry partners to generate interest in potential collaborations for training, mentorship, and other cooperative ventures. He further underscored the crucial role of academic-industry collaboration, highlighting that “these conversations are essential as they guide our strategic direction and reveal new opportunities for partnership and mutual growth.”
The event’s centerpiece was the official launch of The Launchpad Guidebook, The Incubation Handbook, The Pre-Venture Lab Guide Book, The Venture Lab Program Book (V4) and The EntreMasterClass Program Book, inaugurated by the Guest of Honour, Dr Hazri Haji Kifle, Vice-Chancellor of UBD. These initiatives, aimed at both students and academia, are designed to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset within the university and play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between academic research and industry application.
A networking session followed, designed to enhance industry engagement, increase visibility, and promote multidisciplinary partnerships and collaborations with the industry. The session provided attendees with an overview of the strategic roadmap for implementing the UBD Entrepreneurship Blueprint, aimed at addressing the practical needs of the industry. The event concluded with a tour of exhibitions featuring startups, research projects, and patents, offering a glimpse into the cutting-edge innovations emerging from UBD. These showcases underscored the university’s commitment to fostering innovation and driving national development.
The IEED Exchange marks the start of a series of initiatives aimed at deepening the relationship between UBD and its industry partners, ensuring that the university continues to play a leading role in national progress.