In conjunction with Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Centre for Islamic Studies’ (SOASCIS) constant efforts in linking UBD to other international academic institutions and providing opportunities for students to profit from these ties through research opportunities abroad, SOASCIS received two distinguished guests on 11^th September, 2014 - Professor Dr Usama Muhamad bin Muhamad Hassan al-‘Abd, former Director of Al-Azhar University , and the ambassador of the United States of America to Brunei, His Excellency Daniel L. Shields.

As guest of the Ministry of Education, it was Professor Dr Usama who decided to visit SOASCIS-UBD during his stay in Brunei Darussalam. Having met Professor Dr Datuk Osman Bakar, Director of SOASCIS and Chair Professor of UBD, in Kuwait, Professor Dr Usama expressed his sincere interest in further enhancing ties with UBD by agreeing to attend SOASCIS’ upcoming international conference SICON in November as one of the keynote speakers. 

“I am deeply grateful [to welcome] such a well-known scholar,” said Professor Dr Datuk Osman. “It is a great honour for us and shows that our efforts in establishing UBD academically on an international level is bearing fruit; reaching as far as al-‘Azhar University .”

On the same day, SOASCIS was honoured by the visit of the Ambassador of the United States of America to Brunei, His Excellency Daniel L. Shields. Emphasizing 30 years of close Brunei-U.S. diplomatic ties, the Ambassador expressed his interest in the work of SOASCIS. “Islam is a big part of USA, with a big number of Muslims and President Obama having spent a long time in Indonesia,” the ambassador said, expressing his appreciation for SOASCIS’ many conferences and talks, which he attended.

On his visit to SOASCIS, Ambassador Shields was very pleased to announce the many possibilities for conducting studies in the USA, which are available through the embassy. Ambassador Shields sees education as “the best intercultural dialogue” and so he encouraged UBD students to take advantage of the different programmes offered .

Professor Dr Datuk Osman together with Ambassador Daniel Shields agreed to work closer together in conducting seminars and workshops, while the American embassy expressed their alacrity in providing funding to invite foreign speakers to these future events.

SOASCIS is currently in the process of fostering closer ties with U.S. universities, such as the University of Chicago and Georgetown University, which will offer students great possibilities in conducting research abroad - in support with the U.S. Fulbright Scholarships - and are open to all Bruneian students and available through the U.S. Embassy.