Izah Azahari
“Graduates are expected to be more relevant and adaptable to the job market, and become a valuable asset to the country because employers are now looking beyond academic certificates and focussing more on interpersonal and leadership skills as well as various other competencies,” said Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) Vice-Chancellor cum guest of honour Dr Hazri bin Haji Kifle.
The university welcomed 261 students for the January intake of the 2022/2023 academic year on the first day of its four-day Freshers’ Week yesterday.
The vice-chancellor highlighted the increasingly competitive admissions into universities, adding that newly-enrolled students should feel grateful to have been chosen to study at UBD, and called on them to make the most of the opportunity given to achieve success and a bright future.
Dr Hazri also highlighted UBD’s aspiration to produce a generation that is educated, highly skilled, with a Bruneian identity and global characteristics, as well as a sense of self-identity that includes high spiritual values that firmly adheres to the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) philosophy.
The vice-chancellor also noted UBD’s introduction of the Quranic Journey programme for Muslim students that will enchance their religious knowledge and understanding.
“This effort is in line with UBD’s goal of ‘Towards Human Excellence’ and it aims at giving birth to an ‘Al-Quran Generation’ that will make Al-Quran a guide throughout their life and support the desire to make Brunei Darussalam a Zikir Nation.”
The vice-chancellor also hopes students will be able to take advantage of the programme, with Surah Yaasiin recitation and lectures every Friday, following the change of the official working and lecture days for UBD residents, from Monday to Thursday and Saturday to Monday through Friday.
“The Quranic Journey programme will be a reason for all at UBD to receive blessings, Taufiq and guidance from Allah the Almighty.”
Welcoming remarks were also delivered by UBD Dean of Students Saidai bin Haji Hitam.
Freshers’ Week sees new students being briefed on life in university and what UBD has to offer. New students will also be set to know more about the modules available as they will be introduced to the programme leaders of their respective faculties as well as faculty members.
This year’s Freshers’ Week will include morning activities, starting with the recitation of Surah Yaasiin, Doa Kesyukuran, Talaqqi Al-Quran and Tadabbur Al-Quran. The new students will also be given a tour of the UBD campus and library, officially marking the start of the new semester.
Freshers’ Week is organised by the Student Affairs Section (SAS) with support from the Student’s Representative Council (SRC) and volunteers.
