BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 20th June 2026 – Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences (PAPRSB IHS), Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), in collaboration with Shenzhen New Industries Biomedical Engineering Co Ltd (Snibe), hosted the UBD-Snibe Symposium 2026 to discuss emerging developments in diagnostic science and laboratory medicine.
Held under the theme ‘Advances in Clinical Chemistry & Immunoassay Technologies,’ the symposium held from 20th to 21st June 2026 at Pro-Chancellor Arts Centre, UBD was organised with support from RTCT Diagnostics and the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) and was organised in conjunction with the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition (MYCE).
The opening ceremony was officiated by UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri Haji Kifle as the guest of honour. The event attracted 114 participants from across Brunei Darussalam and the region, bringing together researchers, clinicians, laboratory professionals, policymakers, academics, students, and industry experts.
The symposium marked a significant milestone as the first scientific symposium jointly organised by UBD and Snibe in Brunei Darussalam. Building on a strategic partnership established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in January 2025 between UBD and Snibe, the event reflected a shared commitment to strengthening collaboration among academia, healthcare institutions, policymakers, and industry partners to advance laboratory medicine and diagnostic innovation. Key initiatives under the MoU include student and staff exchange programmes, internship opportunities, joint research projects in biomedical innovation, and specialised training programmes in advanced biomedical diagnostics, laying the foundation for sustained capacity building and scientific advancement in the region.
In her welcoming remarks, the chairperson of the UBD-Snibe Symposium 2026 and the Deputy Dean (Research, Innovation and Sustainability) at PAPRSB IHS Dr Suwarni Haji Md Diah, highlighted the importance of innovative diagnostic technologies in improving patient care, enabling early disease detection, and supporting evidence-based clinical decision-making. She noted that the symposium aligned closely with Brunei Darussalam’s aspirations to strengthen healthcare quality, enhance laboratory capacity, and develop a future-ready healthcare workforce.
Vice President of International Business at Snibe Lucy Liu emphasised their commitment to promoting technological innovation, academic sharing, and clinical transformation in laboratory medicine through their partnership with UBD, and remarked that at Snibe, they will continuously upgrade intelligent diagnostic solutions, empower local laboratory construction, and jointly safeguard public health and well-being across Brunei Darussalam and the surrounding region.
The programme featured presentations by internationally renowned experts on immunoassay technologies, laboratory automation, biomarker discovery, quality assurance, and diagnostics for non-communicable diseases. Participants also explored the translation of diagnostic innovation into clinical practice, laboratory standards, and workforce development through expert discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions.
The symposium strengthened academic-industry collaboration, enhanced understanding of emerging diagnostic technologies, and supported capacity building within Brunei Darussalam’s laboratory workforce. It also lays out the foundation for future partnerships in research, professional development, and healthcare innovation.
In his closing remarks, the co-chairperson of the symposium and the Programme Leader of the Biomedical Science programme at PAPRSB IHS Dr Muhammad Hazim Haji Abdul Ghani, expressed hope that the professional connections and collaborative opportunities that have emerged from this symposium have the potential to strengthen research, education, innovation, and healthcare delivery both nationally and beyond. Through the symposium, UBD and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to advancing scientific knowledge, fostering meaningful collaboration, and supporting excellence in healthcare for the benefit of Brunei Darussalam and the wider region.