HONG KONG, 21ST JUNE 2026 – Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) was formally admitted into the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) at the APRU Annual Presidents’ Meeting, hosted by The Chinese University of Hong Kong from 21st to 23rd June 2026. UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri Haji Kifle received the APRU membership certificate during the APRU Gala Dinner, where he also delivered a Vice-Chancellor’s address profiling UBD’s vision, strengths, and future‑ready curriculum.
APRU brings together leading research-intensive universities across the Pacific Rim to address shared global challenges through collaboration in areas including artificial intelligence, climate resilience, public health, sustainability, and innovation. Membership enables UBD to contribute and benefit from collective expertise, joint research initiatives, policy dialogue, and academic exchange that extend beyond national borders.
Over the course of the three-day meeting, Dr Hazri participated in the Business Meeting and the Presidents’ Closed-Door Session, where university leaders discussed APRU’s strategic directions and flagship programmes. He also attended the Introductory President’s Dinner and Delegates’ Dinner as part of UBD’s formal introduction to the network.
Dr Hazri also spoke as a panellist in a plenary session on the integration of artificial intelligence into teaching and learning and the evolving nature of the traditional university experience. He reflected on the challenges of embedding AI meaningfully in curriculum and pedagogy, highlighting the need for a sustained mindset shift among faculty and students, as well as sharing UBD’s approach to balancing AI with human intelligence through the GenBESTARI curriculum, the university’s generative AI policy and guidelines, and targeted modules covering empathy, ethical leadership, innovation, and responsible AI use.
He emphasised that while AI can generate information, it cannot replace human wisdom, values and judgment, and that the cultivation of integrity, critical thinking, character, and genuine learning remains the core commitments of universities today.
UBD also contributed to discussions on international higher education collaboration through the participation of Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Sustainability) Dr Haji Abdul Hanif Dato Paduka Haji Mahadi at the APRU Senior International Leaders’ Meeting (SILM) 2026, held concurrently with the Presidents’ Meeting. Dr. Hanif was featured as a speaker in a workshop titled ‘New Voices, Fresh Perspectives: New Members and First‑Timers in Conversation’, alongside senior global engagement leaders from APRU member universities. In this session, he contributed perspectives on resilient and inclusive global engagement from the standpoint of Brunei Darussalam’s national university, drawing on UBD’s experience in advancing research, innovation and sustainability.
UBD looks forward to active engagement with APRU member institutions across the Asia-Pacific region, contributing to collaborative research programmes, leadership networks, and the formation of graduates equipped for an AI-enabled future. These collaborations will create new opportunities for researchers, students, and industry partners while strengthening Brunei Darussalam’s contribution to higher education across the Asia-Pacific region.
