BORACAY, Philippines – Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) strengthened its international academic engagement through its participation in the Fourth In-Person Meeting of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Indigenous Knowledges Network, held in Boracay, Philippines, from 16th to 20th June 2026.
Representing Brunei Darussalam was Dr Najib Noorashid from the Malay Language, Linguistics and Literature Programme, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), who joined more than 60 academics, indigenous knowledge practitioners, researchers, and university leaders from across the Pacific Rim.
Hosted by the University of the Philippines under the theme Living Knowledge Traditions Rooted in Land and Sea: Pathways to Resilience, Innovation, and Cultural Continuity, the meeting explored the role of indigenous knowledge systems in advancing research, education, and sustainable development through international collaboration.
UBD’s participation reinforced the University’s commitment to internationalisation by strengthening its engagement within the APRU network and creating opportunities for future collaborative research, joint publications, academic exchanges, and knowledge sharing in the field of indigenous knowledge. The meeting also provided a platform for UBD to contribute Brunei Darussalam’s perspectives to regional discussions while expanding partnerships with leading research universities across the Pacific Rim.
Throughout the five-day programme, participants took part in presentations, panel discussions, and knowledge-sharing sessions examining ethical approaches to Indigenous knowledge research, institutional collaboration, and the importance of cultural sensitivity in strengthening research practices, protocols, media engagement, and institutional branding. As part of the programme, participants also visited the Ati Cultural Village in Boracay to gain first-hand insights into the cultural traditions, history, and lived experiences of the Ati community. The visit reinforced the importance of respectful community engagement and Indigenous-led approaches in preserving cultural heritage and sustaining traditional knowledge systems.
Reflecting on the meeting, Dr Najib highlighted the importance of recognising diverse knowledge traditions and interdisciplinary approaches in addressing contemporary global challenges. He added that the networks established through APRU are expected to foster future collaborations that will benefit UBD’s research, teaching, and international engagement.
The Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) is a network of more than 60 leading research universities across the Americas, Asia, and Australasia that promotes collaboration to address global challenges through research, innovation, and higher education.
As a member of APRU, UBD continues to expand its global academic partnerships and strengthen opportunities for collaborative research, knowledge exchange, and international engagement, supporting the University’s commitment to research excellence and its growing role within the Asia-Pacific higher education community.