Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), for the third consecutive year, is hosting the UBD-ASEAN University Network (AUN) Summer Camp 2026 from 1 to 10 July 2026, bringing together undergraduate students from across ASEAN and East Asia under the theme, Tides of Tomorrow: Reimagining Coastal Cities.
The Summer Camp was officially launched on 1 July 2026 at the Pro-Chancellor Arts Centre, UBD by the Permanent Secretary (Higher Education) at the Ministry of Education, Dr Haji Azman Ahmad. The programme aims to equip future leaders with the critical thinking, collaborative mindset and sustainability values needed to address the challenges of rapid urbanisation, climate change and technological advancement. Through expert engagement, experiential learning and cross-cultural collaboration, participants are encouraged to develop innovative solutions for more sustainable and resilient coastal communities.
Now in its third edition, the Summer Camp welcomes 141 undergraduate students from 36 universities representing 10 countries across ASEAN and East Asia. Throughout the 10-day programme, participants will engage in expert lectures, workshops, field visits and collaborative group projects, providing them with hands-on exposure to real-world sustainability challenges while strengthening intercultural understanding, regional collaboration and lasting friendships.
In his opening address, Dr Haji Azman Ahmad emphasised that the theme, Tides of Tomorrow: Reimagining Coastal Cities, is both timely and relevant as communities around the world continue to face the impacts of rising sea levels and climate change. He highlighted the importance of empowering young people to explore how marine ecosystems, urban planning, innovation and public health can work together to create resilient, inclusive and sustainable coastal cities. He also commended the multidisciplinary nature of the Summer Camp, noting that programmes such as this reflect the Ministry of Education’s commitment to internationalisation by fostering collaboration, cross-cultural learning and the development of future-ready graduates.
Centred on the concepts of ocean sustainability, coastal conservation and Blue Urbanism, the programme explores themes of environmental stewardship, sustainable urban development, marine biodiversity, innovation, policy dialogue and cultural heritage conservation. Participants will also take part in the Future Ocean Changemakers Youth Forum, a platform that enables students to exchange ideas with experts, discuss regional challenges and develop youth-led initiatives that contribute to more sustainable coastal futures.
The UBD-AUN Summer Camp is one of 10 AUN Summer Camps organised by AUN member universities across the region in 2026, each focusing on a different contemporary theme. Together, these programmes aim to nurture future leaders by strengthening leadership and soft skills, fostering intercultural understanding, and encouraging regional collaboration among university students.
As a founding member of the ASEAN University Network (AUN) since 1995, UBD remains committed to advancing regional cooperation in higher education through academic collaboration, student mobility and knowledge exchange. As ASEAN’s leading network of higher education institutions, AUN promotes educational excellence and regional integration by strengthening partnerships among its member universities. Through initiatives such as the AUN Summer Camp, UBD continues to provide meaningful international learning experiences that prepare students to become globally minded and socially responsible graduates.
For more information on UBD’s short-term programmes, please visit www.ubd.edu.bn or email globaldiscovery.ga@ubd.edu.bn.
