His Royal Highness Prince (Dr) Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Pro-Chancellor of Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) officiated the Mahrajan Hafl Al-Takharruj, or convocation festival at the university’s Sinaut Campus in Tutong District yesterday.
His Royal Highness was greeted upon arrival at the Ibnu Sina Scientific Laboratory Centre by Minister of Education Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh as the Chairperson of UNISSA Council; Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman as Deputy Chairperson of UNISSA Council; and Rector of UNISSA Dr Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal as the Chair of the Executive Committee of 13th Mahrajan Hafl Al-Takharruj of UNISSA.
The ceremony began with the reading of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa led by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar.
His Royal Highness later delivered a sabda and viewed the launch video themed ‘Transforming the Future of Modern Agriculture and Halal Food Security: Mastering New Horizons’ followed by the signing of a commemorative plaque. The theme highlights UNISSA’s efforts towards contributing to the modernisation and advancement of agriculture, and ensuring the availability and safety of food complying with Islamic dietary laws (Halal) to meet the needs of Muslim consumers.
His Royal Highness also viewed an exhibition on the Faculty of Agriculture and the Halalan Thayyiban Research Centre before proceeding to Ibnu Sina Scientific Laboratory Centre, UNISSA to inspect the students’ laboratory work, including studies on agricultural waste processing to increase soil and crop productivity in the Sultanate and analysis of genetically modified food products.
At the Aquaculture Pond Area, His Royal Highness planted a bucida sapling, also known as a prayer tree, and witnessed the release of freshwater fish by the students.
The Crown Prince proceeded to visit the Herb House, which exhibits 94 collections of herbal plants including the traditional ulam-ulaman such as rancah-ranchah, cashews and pegaga. A collection of forest herbs such as kunyit hantu, tapak unta, and tawar-tawar were also exhibited at the Herb House, established by the Faculty of Agriculture to support the teaching and research of herbal medicinal plants related to modern agriculture and medicine.
His Royal Highness also toured an exhibition on urban farming concepts and modern growing techniques built by students, including trellis plants and vertical farming systems, as well as other exhibits including composting food waste, grass cuttings and dry leaves; preserved collections of bugs and beneficial insects; and the research achievements of the Faculty of Agriculture and the Halalan Thayyiban Research Centre.
His Royal Highness also took a closer look at the Halal Innovation Research Showcase at the Al-Azhar Gallery, showcasing research conducted by Halalan Thayyiban Research Centre students which have won awards from international innovation competitions.
His Royal Highness also launched 31 books in various fields including agriculture, law, halal, Syariah Islamic astronomy and Islamic management. These include 11 books in Malay, 10 in English, three in Arabic, an al-Shafi’i monograph and six journals.
During the course of his visit, His Royal Highness also mingled with academics and students and received a pesembah.
Various activities have been scheduled throughout the 13th Mahrajan Hafl Al-Takharruj including a fishing competition; an agreement signing ceremony between the Faculty of Agriculture and local agricultural industry operators; workshops on home composting, vertical farming systems and biogenic fish feed preparation; demonstration of halal innovation of food and non-food products; halal supply chain exhibition; poster exhibition of Halal Product Innovation Competition 3.0; sharing sessions from agricultural industry entrepreneurs; and the Souq Tani expo and entrepreneurship programme.
The public is welcome to visit the Mahrajan Hafl Al-Takharruj held until August 25, from 9am to 5pm at the UNISSA Sinaut Campus.
The Mahrajan Hafl Al-Takharruj Festival is organised every year to celebrate the students completing their studies and enliven the Hafl Al-Takharruj or UNISSA Convocation Ceremony which will take place on August 30. – Azlan Othman
