05DISCOVER UBD OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015such initiatives By the university aim to provide students, academics and the general puBlic an opportunity to interact and engage in conversations with important political figures, distinguished experts and prominent academics in their respective fields.His Excellency Mr Teo Chee Hean engaging with participants of the Young Leaders’ Programme after his Special Lecture at UBD’s Chancellor Hall.Photo: UBD/Azhar Ismatand learn from each other. He shared that there are numerous ways for the two countries to enhance their bilateral ties, and emphasised the importance of youth involvement through study exchanges, youth camps and leadership programmes. Mr Teo concluded his lecture with optimism: “In an uncertain and rapidly changing world, the depth and strength of our relationship will provide a steady anchor for both our countries.” He quoted the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew as saying “This association has endured and flourished because it is based on mutual respect and trust, and utmost good faith. Future generations of leaders and officials should build upon and enrich this special relationship.”During his visit, Mr Teo was introduced to UBD’s flagship programmes and initiatives such as the Master of Public Policy and Management (MPPM), International Consortium of Universities for the Study of Biodiversity and the Environment (iCUBE), Entrepreneurship Village, and Brunei-Singapore links in research and education. At the university level, UBD enjoys close ties with a number of Singapore universities such as National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in research collaborations, internships and student mobility programmes. Visiting Brunei as part of the Young Leaders’ Programme (YLP), Mr Teo engaged in a dialogue with 29 participants of the programme. He also presented some books from the National Library Board to be kept in UBD Library’s collection for academic references.The YLP Programme was established in 2013 to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly among young leaders of Brunei and Singapore. The programme ran from 4th to 10th October with the theme “Towards Youth Excellence”, focusing on development of the next generation of youth leaders and working towards creating an integrated youth community. Mr Teo Chee Hean was appointed Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore on 1st April 2009. In 2011, he became the Coordinating Minister for National Security and he is also the Minister in charge of the Civil Service. He oversees the National Population and Talent Division and the National Climate Change Secretariat, and is Chairman of the National Research Foundation.Previously, he served in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), and he entered public office as a Member of Parliament after winning a by-election in the Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC). He has served as the Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Defence, Minister for Education, and Minister for the Environment. He has also served as Minister of State in the Ministries of Finance, Communications and Defence.Over the years, UBD has invited prominent state figures and experts to share their insights and experiences with scholars, policy makers, business leaders and the general public. Such initiatives by the university aim to provide students, academics and the general public an opportunity to interact and engage in conversations with important political figures, distinguished experts and prominent academics in their respective fields. UBD recently held a Special Lecture by Economics Nobel Laureate Sir James Mirrlees. The university also hosted visits and special lectures by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in 2011, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2012.
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