Universiti Brunei Darussalam, 7th November 2024 – Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), through its Industry Engagement and Enterprise Development (IEED) Office, has successfully wrapped up INCUFEST 2024, a dynamic four-day event celebrating innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity. Rooted in the DY & Capstone Innovation Project, INCUFEST provided an inspiring platform for young innovators to showcase their ideas, connect with industry leaders, and engage in various activities designed to foster creativity.
The event featured exhibitions, an industry visit, and the Spark & Create Innovative Station. Highlights included the Innovation Hunt, Spin for Success, Young Makers Studio, and Game On activities, all aimed at encouraging creative thinking among youth. The final day focused on assessments of the DY & Capstone Innovation Project and DY Business Model Canvas, offering participants valuable insights and feedback. The day concluded with the final talk in the Entrepreneurship Spectrum IV series, “Connecting Local Entrepreneurs: The Role of Marketplaces in Brunei’s Economy,” where entrepreneurs and industry leaders discussed the importance of marketplaces for economic growth in Brunei.
With 45 showcases, the event highlighted contributions from key industry partners such as Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), the Youth Entrepreneurship Association of Brunei (YEAB), the Brunei Innovation Lab (BIL), and organizations like ARTISM, alongside innovative projects from UBD researchers. Participants from the Incubation Program, Capstone Projects, and Venture Lab presented creative solutions, showcasing the strength of UBD’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
In his address, Yang Mulia Associate Professor Pengiran Dr. Mohamad Iskandar bin Pengiran Haji Petra, Acting Assistant Vice-Chancellor (IEED), acknowledged the invaluable support and insights from industry partners. He emphasized UBD’s commitment to aligning its innovation initiatives with industry needs to foster entrepreneurship education. Associate Professor Pengiran Dr. Mohamad Iskandar further commended the development of app prototypes by students across various faculties, particularly recognizing contributions from the School of Digital Science (SDS).
The Acting Assistant Vice-Chancellor also congratulated four incubation projects that achieved recognition in the Reach Pitch Competition, organized by 673 Start Up under the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB), underscoring UBD’s strong performance against 14 teams from Brunei’s higher education institutions.
The event concluded with a closing ceremony officiated by Yang Mulia Dr. Hazri bin Haji Kifle, Vice-Chancellor of UBD, who presented awards for Best Exhibitor and Best Innovative Project. Through INCUFEST 2024, UBD reaffirms its dedication to nurturing local talent, championing innovation, and supporting entrepreneurship as key drivers for Brunei’s economic growth.
