Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) officially awarded the inaugural Brunei Methanol Company–Universiti Brunei Darussalam Industrial Scholarship (BMC-UBDIS) to three students on Monday, 12th October 2026, at Dewan Laila Hasrat, ILIA Building. The event was facilitated by the Centre for Advanced Materials and Energy Sciences (CAMES), the Faculty of Science (FOS), and the Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Industry Engagement and Enterprise Development).
The scholarship agreements were signed by UBD Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Hj Noor Azam OKMB Hj Othman and the three recipient students: Izzah Syazwani Muhamad Jusri, Muhammad Fadhli Jaladi, and Muhammad Haziq Hj Jaidi, alongside their respective guarantors. The ceremony was attended by UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri Hj Kifle and special guest Mr Jesús Enrique Mora Marín, Chief Executive Officer of Brunei Methanol Company (BMC), together with members of UBD and BMC management as well as technical representatives and academics involved in the joint projects.
The BMC-UBDIS programme fully funds the students’ tuition fees and provides a monthly stipend of BND 1,000 for the duration of their two-year Master of Science (by Research) programmes in either Energy Studies or Materials Science. As part of this unique industry-academic partnership, the scholars will also conduct up to 52 days of fieldwork per academic year directly at BMC facilities gaining practical exposure to the technical, operational and sustainability aspects of a methanol production facility while developing industry-relevant experience.
This scholarship forms a core component of a broader research collaboration between BMC and UBD, intersecting academic research and industrial expertise to explore practical solutions relevant to the downstream sectors. The students will contribute directly to pioneering laboratory-based research projects focused on carbon capture, utilization, and storage. Specifically, carbon dioxide to methanol conversion as well as the development of antifungal and anticorrosion coatings for carbon steel, which is a critical component of industrial infrastructure.
This first-of-its-kind collaboration highlights both UBD’s and BMC’s shared commitment to supporting Wawasan Brunei 2035, specifically contributing toward the national goal of cultivating a well-educated and highly skilled workforce measured by the highest international standards. By investing in local talent and research capabilities in areas relevant to the downstream sectors, the partnership drives technological developments that support Brunei Darussalam’s economic diversification and sustainable energy future.
UBD actively seeks industrial collaborations and partnerships. For further inquiries or partnership opportunities, please contact the Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Industry Engagement and Enterprise Development) at industry.ieed@ubd.edu.bn.