UBD in the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 Pandemic in Brunei Darussalam is an evolving situation with extraordinary challenges for our staff and students. Although the campus remains open and essential services are continuously being provided, the University is taking precautionary measures to minimise the potential pathways for community spread of the Coronavirus, and at the same time minimise the interruption to teaching and learning.

The University is also continuously reviewing the progress and development of online learning to look into the best ways to support the delivery and achieving our learning objectives.

OUR COVID-19 RESPONSE

Within three days of the first positive COVID-19 case in Brunei Darussalam, we had set all lectures and tutorials to be conducted online, thus minimising face-to-face and big group interactions. This was further extended to the examinations at the end of the Semester.

On-campus student services were also reverted to online arrangements especially counter services. The UBD Library remained open on a revised schedule for certain essential services only, other services were made available online.

BruHealth QR Codes and temperature screening stations have been put in place at each of our buildings, with single entry points to allow tracking of visitors.

General Measures

The UBD Community is strongly advised to observe the following general measures:

  • Apply and observe the preventative measures and guidelines that have been issued by the Ministry of Health such as: -
    1. Observe good personal hygiene
    2. Practice frequent hand washing with soap and clean water or use the hand sanitizer
    3. Cover your mouth with a tissue paper when coughing or sneezing and dispose of the tissue paper in the rubbish bin immediately
    4. Avoid close contact with people who are unwell or showing symptoms of illness
    5. Avoid visiting people who are unwell if you are feeling unwell
    6. Seek immediate medical attention if you are feeling unwell
    7. Always be aware of where you have been and who you have interacted with
    8. To abide by the Ministry of Health's Press Releases and the Prime Minister's Office circulars that are in effect
  • Scan the BruHealth QR Code upon entry and exit of the university building using the BruHealth app. BruHealth QR Codes are unique to the building you are visiting and you are reminded to scan out when exiting the building.
  • Get your temperature reading before entering the building.
  • Refrain from coming onto campus if you are not feeling well, presenting symptoms of the flu and if you have had contact with a person who has been or suspected of being infected with the SARS-COV-2 virus. Please inform your direct supervisor / lecturer immediately.
  • Maintain physical distancing of at least 1.0 metre from each other during on-campus sessions.
  • Face masks are required indoors and outdoors especially in crowded places.

For further information:

UBD COVID-19 Hotline
+675-8801000
Email: office.registrar@ubd.edu.bn

Ministry of Health Hotline
146
www.moh.gov.bn

COVID-19 UPDATES

Last updated: 09 August 2021
Operational Readiness Level 0 (effective from 09 August 2021)

Following the directives and advice from the Ministry of Health and in support of the Ministry of Education, Universiti Brunei Darussalam has activated its Business Continuity plan (BCP) and adopted the following actions and precautionary measures to minimize potential pathways for community spread of the COVID-19 virus:

  • All lectures and tutorials revert to online platforms to minimize face-to-face interactions on campus.
  • Online submission of academic requirements.
  • No physical laboratory, practical classes or clinical sessions. Faculties, institutes and centres will ensure that attendance at any one time in a particular teaching venue is done in a staggered/cohorted manner, observing the guidelines on hygiene and physical distancing set by the Ministry of Health.
  • Local Discovery Year activities to be conducted from home through online platforms. Some exceptions may be made for students on national voluntary work whereby they will adhere to BCP requirements of hosting agencies.
  • Students staying at the Residential Colleges may have the option of staying on campus. Students to observe precautionary measures such as not dining-in at canteens, staying in their own rooms and avoiding big groups.
  • All canteens and eateries on campus are either closed or operate on take-away and delivery basis.
  • UBD Library closed outside of normal office hours. Physical library services limited to picking up and returning of borrowed books only. It is advisable to engage the library's online services.
  • With effective online alternatives and drop boxes in place, counters at Student Central and the International Student Office will continue to remain closed until further notice.
  • Payment counter services are closed. Payments can be made via Internet banking and cash/cheque deposit machine.
  • UBD Central Store is closed. Submit requests via email and the procurement team will attend to them within 2-3 working days.
  • UBD staff will be required to work on campus in a staggered manner. Special consideration is given to staff who are vulnerable, with the following conditions: pregnant, have pre-existing or high risk medical conditions, or elderly (aged 60 and above).

Standard COVID-19 precautionary measures will be employed throughout the campus which include:

  • Temperature screening points at various locations
  • Limited access to buildings
  • Face masks are required indoors and outdoors especially in crowded places
  • Stay at home and seek medical attention if you are feeling unwell
  • Scan QR code using Bruhealth application when entering and leaving any public premises
  • Get vaccinated
  • Face masks are required indoors and outdoors especially in crowded places

Students are reminded to continue observing and practising the precautionary measures that are already in place prescribed by the Ministry of Health for your safety and well-being and of those around you.

I trust that all of you are staying safe. As we approach the start of the new semester this August, UBD is aligning with the country’s de-escalation plan, and is now in Operational Readiness Level 4. Insya Allah in the coming week, UBD will welcome the new intake of students for August 2020/2021 intake and the UBD Freshers Week will be held on virtual mode for four days from 27 – 30 August 2020. In the context of UBD’s delivery of teaching and learning, I would like to share the measures that we have put in place with effect from Monday, 27 July 2020 in anticipation of the new semester as follows: -

  • Restructured blended learning mode where students will experience both online and physical classes
  • All lectures will continue to be delivered online
  • Face-to-face lessons / interactions for tutorials, practicals, laboratory sessions and clinical sessions on campus in the assigned teaching venues / rooms
  • Discovery Year activities will still be limited to those conducted in Brunei Darussalam
  • There will be no changes to the academic calendar

On the UBD facilities and services, the following are the measures put in place:

  • The University Library continues to operate as per the current schedule with online and limited on-site services offered. From 3 August 2020, University Library will open from 8:00 am until 9.00pm. In addition, visitor numbers at one time should not exceed 200 persons at any one given time.
  • Other student-related services are available through emails and online means as prescribed by the individual offices.
  • The University Mosque and prayer rooms (surau) on campus is open for prayers at normal capacity as per the latest guidelines with effect from 3 August 2020.
  • University accommodation will start to operate with full capacity with effect from 27 July 2020.

Students are reminded to continue observing and practising the precautionary measures that are already in place prescribed by the Ministry of Health for your safety and well-being and of those around you.

  • Resume face-to-face lessons and practical/clinical sessions except lectures (online lectures).
  • UBD Library will continue to operate at its current schedule with online and limited on-site services offered. Visitor numbers will be limited to 200 with a maximum of 3 hours stay.
  • Limited extra-curricular activities (ECA) and social activities and functions are allowed based on the easing of the mass gathering restrictions.
  • UBD Sports Complex remains closed until further notice.
  • As we are currently on the Semester Break, student attendance on-campus is expected to be minimal. However all UBD community are reminded to abide by the guidelines in place.
  • Face-to-face lessons will resume, in addition the practical/clinical sessions that are already taking place on campus, except for lectures. Such face-to-face lessons include tutorials and small discussion groups.
  • Faculties, institutes and centres will ensure that attendance at any one time in a particular teaching venue does not exceed 40% of the room capacity.
  • UBD Library will continue to operate at its current schedule with online and limited on-site services offered. Visitor numbers will be limited to 40% of the library capacity.
  • With effective online alternatives and drop boxes in place, counters at Student Central and the International Student Office will continue to remain closed until further notice.
  • Limited local internship activities for Discovery Year.
  • Face-to-face practical/clinical sessions only for graduate students.
  • Faculties, institutes and centres will ensure that attendance at any one time in a particular teaching venue does not exceed 30% of the room capacity.
  • Online examinations at the end of the semester.
  • UBD Library will continue to operate at its current schedule with online and limited on-site services offered. Visitor numbers will be limited to 30% of the library capacity.
  • With effective online alternatives and drop boxes in place, counters at Student Central and the International Student Office will continue to remain closed until further notice.
  • Limited local internship activities for Discovery Year.
  • All lectures and tutorials to transition to online platforms for the remaining of the semester to minimize face-to-face interactions on campus.
  • Online submission of academic requirements.
  • Limited practical and clinical sessions. Faculties, institutes and centres will ensure that attendance at any one time in a particular teaching venue is done in a staggered/cohorted manner, observing the guidelines on hygiene and physical distancing set by the Ministry of Health.
  • Local Discovery Year activities put on hold and students recalled.
  • UBD Library closed outside of normal office hours with online and limited on-site services offered.
  • With effective online alternatives and drop boxes in place, counters at Student Central and the International Student Office will continue to remain closed until further notice.