Her Excellency Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission visited Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) on 27 April 2026.
The visit began at the Pro Chancellor Arts Centre, where Her Excellency was welcomed by UBD Vice Chancellor, Yang Mulia Dr Hazri bin Haji Kifle, members of UBD’s senior management, and UBD students. Her Excellency engaged in an exclusive dialogue with UBD students to discuss current affairs in ASEAN-EU relations.
Following the dialogue, Her Excellency proceeded to the UBD Botanical Research Centre (BRC), where Her Excellency planted a commemorative tree with a scientific name Gymnostoma nobile (Whitmore) L.A.S.Johnson (commonly known as Bornean Rhu).
The BRC, inaugurated by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuanof Brunei Darussalam on 3 February 2018, was established in conjunction with the First International Symposium on Ethnobotany in the Qur’an and Hadith – An Exploration. The Centre is located on native Kerangas (Heath Forest) terrain and houses approximately 200 species in its greenhouse and 100 more along its nature trail, with additional species still being identified.
The BRC is engaged in translational research focused on medicinal plants, with findings that benefit the wider community, including herbalists, researchers, and students. The visit concluded with a presentation of a token of appreciation to Her Excellency followed by a group photo.
