On 14 October 2024, the School of Business and Economics (UBDSBE) at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) successfully hosted a forum entitled “Sustainability & The Future Role of Accountants in Brunei’s Green Agenda.” This event marked a significant milestone as UBD is the only Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Accelerate University in Brunei, reinforcing its leadership in promoting sustainable accounting practices.
The forum attracted participants from Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB), Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), along with esteemed industry guests, creating a collaborative atmosphere for discussion and knowledge sharing.
Among the distinguished speakers were:
- Dk Hajah Siti Khadijah Pg Haji Moksin, President of BICPA and Audit Partner at Deloitte & Touche Brunei
- Suzairi Abdul Karim, Capital Strategy, Brunei Investment Agency
- Tan Pheng Leong, Chief Financial Officer, BIBD
- Jane Chiong, representative from ACCA Global (Malaysia Office)
The panel was moderated by Dr. Sazali Zainal Abidin, Programme Leader at the Accounting Department, UBDSBE.
The discussions centered on the urgent need to develop a skilled workforce of professional accountants capable of achieving the sustainability goals outlined in Wawasan Brunei 2035. By embedding sustainability principles into accounting practices, the forum aimed to inspire the next generation of accountants to take on vital roles in promoting environmental stewardship and advancing Brunei’s green agenda. As sustainability increasingly becomes a core component of the accounting profession, accountants are urged to go beyond traditional financial reporting to ensure responsible and sustainable business operations.
Over 150 participants from various institutions engaged in the seminar, gaining invaluable insights from industry experts shaping the future of accounting in Brunei. The event was officiated by Dr. Masairol Haji Masri, Assistant Vice-Chancellor for Industry Engagement and Enterprise Development (IEED) and Dean of UBDSBE.