31st January 2025, Friday – The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), launched 12 academic books covering various fields in the Social Sciences, including History, Linguistics, Education, Geography, and International Relations.
The book launch, titled Denai Ilham (The Inspirational Trail), aimed to celebrate the scholarly contributions of FASS academics, whose works represent significant additions to the faculty’s research output, scholarship, and national development.
Officiating the event which was held at RnC Café in UBD’s Business Library, UBD Vice-Chancellor and Guest of Honour Dr Hazri bin Haji Kifle emphasised the importance of continued academic book production. He highlighted that these publications not only reflect the dedication and hard work of UBD scholars but also underscore the university’s commitment to being a hub of knowledge for both academics and the wider public.
Dr Hazri noted that sustained efforts in research and publishing serve as a source of inspiration and guidance for younger generations. He expressed hope that such initiatives would foster collaborations with other institutions and drive excellence in academia.
The books launched at the event were:
- Manuskrip Lama Brunei: Keberadaan dan Kehebatannya (Ceramah Perdana Professorial) by Professor Dr Ampuan Haji Brahim Ampuan Haji Tengah,
- Sungai Kerajaan Kuripan & Tulin: Pentadbiran Wilayah Kesultanan Brunei: Kelahiran dan Kesinambungan (Ceramah Perdana Professorial) by Professor Dr Haji Awang Asbol Haji Mail,
- Rancangan Kemajuan Negara Brunei Darussalam (1967-2017): Sejarah Pendidikan, Kesihatan dan Perumahan by Dk Dr Norafidah Pengiran Mohd Shamri, Professor Dr Haji Awang Asbol Haji Mail, Professor Ampuan Dr Haji Brahim Ampuan Haji Tengah, and Dr Haji Tassim Haji Abu Bakar,
- Traditional Malay Monarchy by Professor Dr Awang g Haji Asbol Haji Mail,
- Governance, Migration and Security in International Relations by Associate Professor Dr A. K. M. Ahsan Ullah and Jannatul Ferdous,
- India and China in Southeast Asia by Dr Amit Ranjan, Dr Diotima Chattoraj, and Associate Professor Dr A. K. M. Ahsan Ullah,
- Southeast Asia in Pre- and Post-COVID-19: Economy, Society, Mobility, and Religion by Associate Professor Dr A. K. M. Ahsan Ullah, Dr Shirley Chin Wei Lee, and Dr Noor Hasharina Hassan,
- Social Safety Nets and Poverty Reduction in Developing Countries by Dr Jannatul Ferdous and Associate Professor Dr A. K. M. Ahsan Ullah,
- The Unheard Stories of Rohingyas by Associate Professor Dr A. K. M. Ahsan Ullah and Dr Diotima Chattoraj,
- Brunei English: A New Variety in a Multilingual Society (2nd ed.) by Dr Salbrina Sharbawi, Professor David Deterding, and Dk Dr Nur Raihan Pg Mohamad,
- Mediated Muslim Cosmopolitanism: New Media and Popular Culture Engagements in Brunei and Malaysia by Dr Siti Mazidah Mohamad,
- The Phonetics of Malay by Professor David Deterding, Dr Ishamina Athirah Gardiner, and Dr Najib Noorashid.
Some of these books were published by local publishers such as the Brunei History Centre and Qarun Nafis, while others were released by internationally renowned publishers, including Bristol University Press, Cambridge University Press, Springer, Palgrave Macmillan, Routledge, and Taylor & Francis.
The launch was attended by the President of the Brunei History Association (PESEBAR) Dr Haji Mohd Rozan Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yunos, the Director of the Academy of Brunei Studies at UBD Dr Haji Tassim Haji Abu Bakar, as well as university officers and academics.