Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) has successfully concluded the third consecutive UBD-ASEAN University Network (AUN) Summer Camp 2026. Running from 1st to 10th July 2026, the landmark 10-day event brought together 141 undergraduate students from 36 universities across ASEAN and East Asia to address critical environmental and urban challenges under the theme, “Tides of Tomorrow: Reimagining Coastal Cities.”
The closing ceremony was graced by the Guest of Honour, Professor Dr Haji Noor Azam Orang Kaya Maha Bijaya Haji Othman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UBD. In his closing address, Professor Dr Haji Noor Azam commended the participants for completing an enriching journey that extended well beyond the traditional classroom. He emphasised that the complex socio-ecological challenges facing the region require a collective, future-ready mindset grounded in mutual respect. He noted that the students are doing far more than studying marine biodiversity or sustainable urban planning. Instead, they are engaging in the active preservation of shared cultural heritage, anchored in scientific innovations, and transforming regional dialogue into lifelong cross-border friendships that champion inclusivity, resilience, and a united ASEAN identity.
The summer camp, which officially opened on 1st July with an address by the Permanent Secretary (Higher Education) at the Ministry of Education, Dr Haji Azman Ahmad, combined rigorous academic engagement with hands-on experiential learning. Throughout the 10-day programme, participants immersed themselves in expert lectures and interactive workshops exploring ocean sustainability, coastal conservation, mangrove preservation, and Blue Urbanism. A particular highlight of this year’s event was the Future Ocean Changemakers Youth Forum alongside the Students’ Presentation Showcase, where multi-national student teams collaborated to exchange ideas, debate regional challenges, and pitch innovative, youth-led proposals for sustainable coastal city development.
Beyond the academic agenda, the summer camp provided rich cultural immersion activities designed to foster deeper regional harmony. Participants discovered Brunei Darussalam by exploring prominent historical landmarks and experiencing the vibrant local atmosphere of Bandarku Ceria. These activities allowed students to share their own diverse traditions while gaining a firsthand appreciation of Brunei Darussalam’s core values of mutual respect, harmony, and community spirit.
Dr Joyce Teo Siew Yean, Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement) of UBD and also the Chairperson of the UBD-AUN Summer Camp 2026, stressed the importance of this platform for young changemakers to network and form partnerships on academic projects related to the summer camp’s theme such as Blue Urbanism and propose remedies to reduce the environmental costs.
The successful execution of the UBD-AUN Summer Camp further underscores UBD’s commitment to educational tourism, effectively positioning both the university and Brunei Darussalam as premier destinations for international higher education. This momentum is beautifully aligned with UBD’s recent historic achievements in the global academic arena, which include the university’s rise to #345 in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and #67 in the QS Asian University Rankings 2026, firmly securing UBD’s position among the Top 19 universities in ASEAN. As a founding member of the network since 1995, UBD remains dedicated to expanding global partnerships and providing impactful learning experiences that prepare students to become globally minded and socially responsible leaders.
For more information on UBD’s short-term programmes, please visit www.ubd.edu.bn or email globaldiscovery.ga@ubd.edu.bn.