Bandar Seri Begawan, 26th August 2026 – Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and Chongqing University (CQU), China, jointly hosted the 2026 China–Brunei Youth Innovation Camp for Sustainable Development and the 2nd Global Urban Innovation & Development Symposium (GUIDeS 2026) at the UBD campus.
Held in conjunction with the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Brunei Darussalam and the People’s Republic of China, the programme brought together students, researchers, policymakers, planners, industry representatives and community members to explore practical pathways for sustainable urban development, resilient cities, cultural exchange and people-to-people cooperation.
A key highlight was the seven-day China–Brunei Youth Innovation Camp for Sustainable Development. A delegation of 35 students from CQU, led by Professor Hui Xie, had worked with UBD and partner students on the second-stage construction of the Cultural Pavilions. The pavilions were first developed at Chongqing University in May 2026, and are currently being rebuilt at UBD for public display.
The pavilion initiative involves students from UBD, Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB), CQU, and Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Indonesia. Through immersive soundscapes, cultural displays, spatial installations and interactive experiences, visitors can experience the heritage, traditions, achievements and future aspirations of the participating countries. The pavilions will be open to the public and offer students, families, educators and community members an opportunity to engage with cultures and ideas from across the region.
The collaboration between UBD and CQU through GUIDeS 2026, the Youth Innovation Camp and the Cultural Pavilions reflects the shared commitment of both universities to sustainable development, academic exchange, youth engagement and public outreach.
GUIDeS 2026 is being held from 26th to 28th August 2026 under the theme “Urban Innovation, Sustainable Development and Practical Pathways for Future-Ready Cities.” The symposium brought together participants from 10 countries and featured keynote addresses, technical sessions, research presentations, networking activities and showcases; discussing how research findings and international collaboration can inform practical solutions for future cities.
The symposium covers eight thematic areas:
- Smart & Resilient Cities
- Sustainable Infrastructure & Mobility
- Urban Health & Well-Being
- Circular Economy & Urban Resources
- Urban Governance & Finance
- Geo-Environment & Materials for Urban Innovation
- Coastal & Riverine Urban Systems
- Startups, Technology Transfer & Living Labs
The 2026 China–Brunei Youth Innovation Camp, GUIDeS 2026 and the Cultural Pavilions were officially launched at UBD with Dr Hazri Haji Kifle, Vice-Chancellor of UBD, as the Guest of Honour. His Excellency Mr Chen Shaochun, Ambassador-designate of the People’s Republic of China to Brunei Darussalam, attended as the Special Guest. Their participation celebrates the growing cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and China in education, research, science, technology, youth development and cultural exchange.
“GUIDeS 2026 reflects UBD’s commitment to working with international partners to make our cities more sustainable, resilient and better places to live,” said Professor Dr Basilios Tsikouras, Chair of the Organising Committee and UBD Director of Research.
“Through GUIDeS 2026 and the China–Brunei Youth Innovation Camp, students are not only presenting cultural stories, but also building a platform for dialogue, mutual understanding and future collaboration,” said Professor Dr Hui Xie, one of the Chairs of the Steering Committee, Deputy Secretary-General of iUNRC and Vice-Director of the International Office at Chongqing University.
By gathering academic knowledge, youth creativity, cultural exchange, and practical approaches to sustainable development, the programme demonstrates how university partnerships could extend beyond institutional collaboration to create meaningful connections between people and communities.
The programme provides students and members of the public with opportunities to engage with GUIDeS 2026 and visit the Immersive Cultural Pavilions at UBD, highlighting the role of universities as platforms for knowledge exchange, innovation, and cross-cultural understanding.
For registration, programme details and updates, please visit https://guides.ubd.edu.bn