Office of University Alumni (UniALUMNI), Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), convened a Research-to-Policy Roundtable as part of its Inclusive Futures initiative, bringing together alumni, academics, industry practitioners, and government representatives to foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration at the intersection of research, policy, and practice.
The roundtable served as a platform to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world application, with discussions centred on translating knowledge into actionable insights that support national development priorities. Participants engaged in focused conversations on emerging challenges, opportunities for collaboration, and pathways to strengthen alignment between university research outputs and industry needs.
The session featured UBD alumni from diverse sectors, including public policy, innovation, education, and industry, who contributed perspectives shaped by both academic grounding and professional experience. Their participation highlighted the evolving role of alumni as strategic partners in knowledge exchange, policy discourse, and institutional development.
The topics of discussion covered Inclusive Innovation and Accessibility, Research-to-Policy Translation, Workforce Readiness and Future Skills, and Cross-Sector Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange; participated by academics from Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), Academy of Brunei Studies (APB), and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Education (SHBIE).
Building on the outcomes of the Inclusive Futures workshop, the roundtable forms part of a broader effort to institutionalise alumni contributions through structured engagement platforms. As a key outcome of the session, four collaborative initiatives were identified and are set to be developed over the next three months, reflecting a shared commitment among stakeholders to translate dialogue into action. These initiatives are expected to span areas such as research collaboration, capacity-building programmes, and cross-sector engagement.
The initiative reflects UniALUMNI’s commitment to advancing an engagement-driven approach, positioning alumni not only as participants in university activities, but as active contributors to national conversations and solutions. By creating spaces for dialogue and co-creation, the University continues to strengthen its role as a connector between academia, industry, and society.
The Research-to-Policy Roundtable also supports UBD’s broader vision of fostering inclusive, impactful, and future-oriented initiatives that align with Brunei Darussalam’s development goals. Through sustained engagement with its alumni network, UBD aims to harness collective expertise to drive innovation, inform policy, and contribute to long-term societal progress.
UniALUMNI will continue to expand platforms for alumni to engage in meaningful ways, including dialogue sessions, workshops, and collaborative projects under the Inclusive Futures and Journeying Futures initiatives. Alumni interested in participating in future programmes or contributing their expertise are encouraged to contact UniALUMNI at office.alumni@ubd.edu.bn for further information.