Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) participated in the Global University Presidents & Leaders Summit (GUPLS) 2024 on from 2nd to 3rd December 2024 in Hong Kong.
Organised by Hong Kong Association for External Friendship, and supported by the University Grants Committee and nine universities in Hong Kong, the Summit gathered prominent academic leaders from across the globe to discuss the future of education and the globalisation of knowledge. UBD was represented by Dr Haji Abdul Hanif Dato Paduka Mahadi, Assistant Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research, Innovation, and Sustainability). UBD’s involvement in the summit underscored its ongoing commitment to ensure the best education for UBD’s students now and in the future.
In the panel discussion themed “Demographic Change and Education in the Future”, chaired by Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, President of The Education University of Hong Kong, and co-chaired by Dr Peter Q Blair, Associate Professor of Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Dr Hanif discussed the university’s Sustainability Masterplan which integrates sustainable practices across five key areas: research, education, green campus, good governance, and community outreach. This approach ensures that UBD continues to lead by example in addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, resource management, and social inequality, while empowering students with the knowledge and skills to create meaningful change.
UBD also showcased its GenNEXT Programme, which fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to equip students with a well-rounded education. This programme exemplifies UBD’s belief in the power of cross-disciplinary learning to solve complex problems in a rapidly changing world.
UBD’s dedication to lifelong learning was also emphasised during the summit, particularly as the university offers upskilling programmes to support individuals at different stages of their careers. This ensures that Brunei’s workforce remains adaptable and competitive in an evolving global job market.
In addition to its sustainability efforts, UBD’s participation highlights the ongoing friendship between Brunei and Hong Kong, reflecting both nations’ shared commitment to fostering international collaboration in education. This strong bond is built on a foundation of mutual respect and shared goals, with universities from both countries working together to create opportunities for global dialogue, exchange, and progress. Through this partnership, UBD continues to advance its mission to promote the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and engage in meaningful international collaboration.
By participating in this summit, UBD reinforced its role as a leader in sustainable education and research and highlighted its contribution to the development of global education, particularly in its partnerships with Hong Kong and beyond.
To know more about the programmes offered at UBD, please visit www.ubd.edu.bn.