Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and the UK government’s Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), based at Weymouth in Dorset, UK, have officially formalised their partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The agreement was signed by Dr. Hazri bin Hj Kifle, Vice Chancellor of UBD, and Mr. Neil Hornby, Chief Executive Officer of Cefas. The signing ceremony was also attended by Ms. Catherine Pochkanavala – Cleeve, Acting British High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, as well as senior members of UBD’s management team.
The MOU outlines key areas of collaboration, including the exchange of scientific and technical expertise, student mobility for capacity development, joint academic publications, and collaborative research initiatives. As a leading authority in marine and freshwater science, Cefas plays a pivotal role in providing scientific data to the UK government and international partners, focusing on the sustainability of seas, oceans, and rivers, and ensuring the safety and sustainability of seafood.
Through this partnership, UBD aims to further expand its research capabilities in the fields of fisheries and marine biodiversity, while advancing sustainability practices. The collaboration marks a significant milestone in UBD’s commitment to enhancing its research and educational ties with global experts.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor of UBD emphasized that the partnership with Cefas represents a significant milestone in both institutions’ commitment to advancing knowledge and promoting sustainable practices in environmental science, fisheries, and aquaculture. He also expressed UBD’s enthusiasm about collaborating with Cefas scientists to address the environmental challenges and opportunities in this region. This sentiment was echoed by Mr. Neil Hornby, CEO of Cefas, in his speech.
UBD has a long history of successful collaboration with higher education institutions in the United Kingdom, particularly in its medical and dentistry programs. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Health Science program, majoring in medicine and dentistry, have the opportunity to complete their studies at UBD’s partner medical schools in the UK. In addition, since the inception of UBD’s Discovery Year Programme in 2011, nearly 500 students have participated in academic exchanges with UK universities.
The partnership with Cefas will open further opportunities for postgraduate student and staff exchanges, fostering a robust academic and research environment for both institutions.
About Cefas
The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) is a world leader in marine science and technology, providing innovative solutions for the aquatic environment, biodiversity and food security. Cefas is an Executive Agency of Defra and the UK’s most diverse centre for applied marine and freshwater science and research. For more information about Cefas visit www.cefas.co.uk.