Research activities by undergraduate and graduate programmes at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) aligning with the energy sector have been carefully curated to incorporate new ideas and technologies for the future sustainable energy industry, UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri bin Haji Kifle said.
He said this as the guest of honour at the launching ceremony of the 2024 Petroleum Energy Forum (PEF) at the university’s Chancellor Hall yesterday.
Themed ‘Bridging the Oil and Gas Industry’s Legacy to the Challenging Energy Landscape’ and organised by Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP), the forum aims to introduce and raise awareness on the significance of the current energy industry to students from secondary and higher education institutions in the Sultanate.
“This year’s theme reflects the importance of a proactive approach to addressing the challenges posed by the evolving energy landscape,” said Dr Hazri.
“It encourages a forward-looking perspective to find solutions that are both economically viable and environmentally sustainable.”
He added, “The oil and gas sector needs to evolve, adapt, innovate, and transform to meet the demands of the changing times and this may include incorporating sustainable practices, adopting hew technologies and diversifying energy portfolios.”
BSP Technical Director Erik Legius also attended.
The launching ceremony featured keynote speeches from Legius, BSP Head of Environmental Affairs Michael Lampp, BSP Decommissioning and Restoration Manager Haji Idris bin Haji Jaafar and Director of the Centre for Advanced Material and Energy Sciences Dr Haji Abdul Hanif bin Dato Paduka Haji Mahadi.
The event also provided students the opportunity to learn more on petroleum engineering as a career for both current and future energy landscape directly from industry professionals.
Started in 2018, the PEF has collaborated with higher educational institutions to showcase the technical studies and advanced technologies used in petroleum engineering and geosciences.
The collaborations contribute to the safe exploration and production of hydrocarbons in the Sultanate, aligning to the objectives of Brunei Vision 2035 to accomplish a well-educated and highly skilled people, while also driving the development and growth of Brunei of which would further provide a high quality of life to the people and achieve a dynamic and sustainable economy. – Lyna Mohamad
