Sustainability Pillar V

At Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), community outreach is a cornerstone of our sustainability efforts, driving positive environmental and social impact beyond the campus. Through various initiatives, UBD engages with local communities to promote sustainable practices, raise awareness about sustainability issues, and foster collaborative projects that benefit both the university and society.

Our outreach programs include educational workshops, public seminars, and partnerships with local and international organisations to address sustainability challenges and encourage community involvement in creating a greener, prosperous and equitable future.

UBD Discovery Year

The UBD Discovery Year (DY) Programme stands as a hallmark of the undergraduate experience, offering a unique and transformative chapter in students’ academic journey. Introduced in the third year, this programme transcends conventional learning by immersing students in hands-on, real-world engagements that cultivate practical knowledge, skills, and perspectives across diverse disciplines. A cornerstone of this experience is the community outreach program (COP), which plays a crucial role in raising awareness of sustainability issues. It provides students with opportunities to engage in environmental and social challenges, fostering a deeper understanding of sustainable practices. Additionally, it offers a platform for implementing concrete actions to address these challenges, equipping students to confront future global issues.

Some of our flagship DY COP activities include:

1. Community Outreach Program in collaboration with FPT University, Danang (include photos)
The Community Outreach Program in Vietnam aims to establish an effective and sustainable initiative to improve the educational status of disadvantaged communities. Four main community-based project genres are offered based on local community resources. The projects include the Human Development Project, Environmental Development Project, Human Library Project, and Halal Kitchen Project.

2. Community-Based Project in collaboration with MSSU, Thailand (include photos)
This project aims to provide opportunities for UBD students to engage in real Thai community development activities. These activities encompass the educational, economic, environmental, and social fields.

3. Community Outreach Program in collaboration with Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (YSHHB) (include photos)

The Community Outreach Programme (COP) at Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (YSHHB) provides students with a valuable opportunity to engage in meaningful community service and contribute to social development initiatives. Through this program, students work collaboratively on various projects aimed at supporting disadvantaged individuals and communities. Their involvement included conducting research, providing skills training, and organising assistance for those in need. This program not only enhances the students’ practical skills but also fosters a spirit of community engagement and social responsibility.

Community service 

As part of UBD’s sustainability initiatives, our staff and students play a vital role in advancing community service efforts that address pressing environmental and social challenges. Collaborating with local communities, NGOs, and government agencies, they apply their expertise to drive meaningful change through educational outreach, capacity-building workshops, and hands-on projects. These initiatives not only promote environmental stewardship and social well-being but also foster a culture of sustainability that extends beyond the university. By empowering communities and encouraging sustainable practices, UBD’s academic staff and students contribute to long-term solutions, reinforcing the university’s commitment to creating a positive impact at both the local and national levels.

Some of our community service includes:

1. Health Awareness  

The Community Outreach Project at the PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences aims to promote health literacy and encourage healthier lifestyle choices among students and the broader community. As part of the Special Study Module 3 (SSM3) for BHSc Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy, the program introduces students to Community-Oriented Medical Education, providing opportunities to identify and analyse health-related issues and contributing factors within communities.

This initiative addresses a wide range of health topics, including nutrition, physical activity, mental health, and disease prevention. Through interactive workshops, seminars, and outreach activities, students gain practical insights into maintaining and improving overall health. This hands-on experience not only deepens their understanding of health issues but also equips them to apply their knowledge in real-world settings, empowering them to become health advocates within their communities. By fostering a culture of health awareness, the program aims to inspire healthier lifestyles and contribute to improved well-being throughout the community.

Community-Oriented Medical Education exemplifies the integration of social responsibility into the formal curriculum. It enhances cultural sensitivity, a crucial element for delivering competent care, and promotes community engagement, fostering social accountability.

2. Animal Welfare

As part of the BM-5107 Project Management Principles and Practices, a group of students engaged in a community outreach project to support animal shelters in Brunei. The selected organisation for the project is ‘Pawsupbn’, an animal shelter rescue based in Kampong Beribi that brings forth a rehabilitation centre, adoption centre, trap, neuter–release program, and foodbank community outreach. Accordingly, the project highlights three key objectives (i) to facilitate social media awareness of stray communities. Secondly, (ii) to contribute financial assistance towards the animal shelter. Lastly, (iii) to improve conditions of the animal shelter.

3. Beach Cleanup

UBD has consistently participated in beach clean-up initiatives as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability and community engagement.

One recent example of this effort involved a collaborative clean-up at Muara Beach, where a diverse group of students took part in a plogging event. This unique approach combined jogging with waste collection, highlighting the importance of maintaining clean natural spaces while promoting physical activity among participants. This initiative exemplifies UBD’s ongoing dedication to supporting environmental preservation and fostering community involvement.

https://borneobulletin.com.bn/students-plog-through-250kg-of-waste-in-beach-clean-up/

https://ubd.edu.bn/2024/06/10/ubd-aun-summer-camp-2024-participants-clean-up-serasa-beach/

https://ubd.edu.bn/2024/09/26/iber-dynamik-technologies-collaborate-on-dynamik-trees-programme/

UBD also partnered with BSP to co-host the Nature Camp, an educational event aimed at fostering environmental awareness and sustainable practices. Participants engaged in hands-on activities, such as guided conservation work and discussions on biodiversity, to deepen their understanding of local environmental issues and the steps needed to protect Brunei’s ecosystems. https://ubd.edu.bn/2024/12/06/nature-camp-ubd-bsp-fosters-environmental-awareness-and-sustainability/

Additionally, the immersive tourist experience at the UBD Botanical Research Centre invites the public to explore the university’s research on native plants and ecosystems. Through this initiative, visitors gain insights into the importance of biodiversity and conservation, while learning about UBD’s role in preserving Brunei’s unique plant life.

Public Talks, Seminars and Competitions

UBD has been actively engaging the community through a series of public talks, seminars, and competitions aimed at promoting sustainability. These initiatives, open to the general public, serve as platforms for knowledge sharing and discussion on pressing issues, featuring expert speakers from diverse fields who provide valuable insights into sustainable practices and innovations. Through these activities, UBD is committed to raising awareness and encouraging action toward a sustainable future within the community. Examples of such initiatives include:

https://ubd.edu.bn/2024/06/03/ubd-advances-sustainability-with-stakeholder-engagement-electric-vehicle-donation/

TEDxUniversitiBruneiDarussalam https://ubd.edu.bn/2024/09/14/ubd-hosts-2nd-tedxuniversiti-brunei-darussalam/

Shaping a Sustainable Future for Humanity” public talk https://research.ubd.edu.bn/?p=5301

Seminar series “Brunei Darussalam – Towards a Sustainable Future”

https://oavcris.ubd.edu.bn/%20https:/oavcris.ubd.edu.bn/?p=6978

UBD Research Open Day  https://research.ubd.edu.bn/?p=6588

UBD SDG Film Competition https://ubd.edu.bn/2024/11/17/prism-ubd-short-film-festival-showcasing-emerging-filmmakers/

UBD SIG Pitching Competition to Empower Budding Entrepreneurs https://ubd.edu.bn/2024/11/21/ubd-hosts-sig-pitching-competition-to-empower-budding-entrepreneurs/

Innovation of Teaching and Learning Centre (InTELECT)

InTELECT at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), serves as a hub of innovation dedicated to promoting teaching excellence in education. The centre focuses on enhancing the quality of education through a variety of initiatives, including workshops and training programs designed to empower educators with the latest pedagogical skills and methodologies.

By fostering collaboration with local and global industry experts, InTELECT strengthens the ties between academia and the professional world, ensuring that teaching practices are relevant and impactful. Through its commitment to continuous improvement, InTELECT is instrumental in shaping a dynamic and effective learning environment at UBD.

Lifelong Learning

The Centre for Lifelong Learning (C3L) at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) plays a pivotal role in enhancing the student learning experience by promoting the importance of lifelong learning.

Guided by the vision of Transforming Teaching, Inspiring Lifelong Learning, C3L strives to cultivate a passion for continuous education through various initiatives. These include integrating lifelong learning principles into existing modules, offering specialised programs, and creating activities that foster this mindset among students.

C3L also develops Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs for UBD alumni and non-UBD graduates, allowing individuals to upgrade their skills or explore second careers. Additionally, the centre offers non-formal learning opportunities for Bruneians and the general public, supporting both personal and professional growth.

UBD ensures that lifelong learning opportunities are accessible to everyone, regardless of ethnicity, religion, disability, socioeconomic status, or gender. By providing flexible and accessible lifelong learning options through blended learning formats, C3L enables students and the public to pursue higher education qualifications, whether through non-certificate, certificate, or degree programs. The centre also engages in research focused on next-generation learning technologies to enhance online learning experiences.

For more information about UBD’s programmes and the admission process, please visit UBD’s Admission Page. This page provides detailed insights into available programmes, entry requirements, application procedures, and other essential information.