Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), through its School of Business and Economics (UBDSBE), hosted its inaugural Professorial Lecture in honour of one of its most distinguished academics, Professor Dr Haji Mohammad Nabil Almunawar.
Held at the Pro-Chancellor Arts Centre on 20th August 2025, the event celebrated a defining moment in the university’s academic journey and Professor Dr Nabil’s exceptional contributions to scholarship and education. Graced by the Acting Vice-Chancellor of UBD, Professor Dr Haji Noor Azam Orang Kaya Maha Bijaya (OKMB) Haji Othman, the event was attended by esteemed academics, students, government representatives, and members of the diplomatic corps, including Febri Elsafrino, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to Brunei Darussalam.
The programme commenced with welcoming remarks from the Dean of UBDSBE, Dr Wardah Azimah Haji Sumardi, who described the occasion as a celebration not just of individual achievement, but of the values and dedication that define the School’s academic community. She noted, “Professor Dr Nabil’s contributions have been both profound and far-reaching, inspiring students, colleagues, and peers alike”. The inaugural professorial talk reflects UBDSBE’s ongoing commitment to recognising academic excellence and fostering thought leadership that contributes meaningfully to Brunei Darussalam’s progress and beyond.
Associate Professor Dr M Muzamil Naqshbandi, who delivered the official citation, described Professor Dr Nabil as a pioneering figure in digital business and information systems. His academic journey has spanned over three decades, with more than 200 publications, multiple international awards, and key contributions such as the Value Exchange Network (VEN) framework, which redefines the understanding of business ecosystems.
In his keynote lecture titled ‘Towards a Grand Theory of Business Ecosystems’, Professor Dr Nabil outlined the development of the VEN framework, a model that views ecosystems as dynamic networks of value exchange. The framework has been applied in diverse areas such as digital marketplaces, healthcare, the circular economy, and halal food systems, offering both academic insight and practical relevance.
Throughout his distinguished career, Professor Dr Nabil has made significant contributions to the fields of e-business, e-health, Islamic scholarship, and information systems. He has authored more than 200 scholarly works, including 132 Scopus-indexed publications, with his research cited over 5,500 times, a testament to its global impact. His editorial leadership includes serving as Editor-in-Chief of two international journals — International Journal of E-Business Research (IJEBR), and Journal of Business and Economic Analysis (JBEA) – as well as editing over 20 academic books.
His excellence in research was most recently recognised with the 2023 Emerald Literati Award for Outstanding Paper, while his dedication to teaching earned him the UBD Excellence in Teaching Award (2011) and the prestigious Brunei Darussalam Teacher Award (2022). Since joining UBD in 1999, Professor Dr Nabil has continued to inspire generations of students and scholars through his mentorship, scholarship, and unwavering commitment to academic excellence. He was promoted to full professor in May 2025.
On the sidelines of the event, Professor Dr Nabil shared some words of wisdom, “Seek knowledge as an endless ocean; wield it as a beacon to illuminate your path; pray for its increase as a divine gift; and temper it all with patience, gratitude, and a spirit devoid of arrogance.”