Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) unveiled five new degree programmes for the 2023/2024 academic year ahead of next month’s Higher Education Virtual Expo 2023 and UTB Open Day 2023.
Interested in becoming a nutritionist, professional architect or game developer? Or perhaps a cybersecurity analyst?
UTB’s newest programmes cover these exciting fields in both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
The expansion of the university’s offerings is aimed at giving students a more diverse academic experience, as well as more opportunities for industry placements and research.
The new programmes – BSc (Honours) in Food Science and Human Nutrition; MSc in Food Science and Technology (by coursework); BSc (Honours) in Digital Media (major in either Digital Content Design or Game Development); MSc in Cybersecurity and MSc in Architecture – are aligned with the goals of Brunei Vision 2035, creating industry-ready graduates equipped with 21st-Century skills to shape a sustainable future for the country.
According to Dean of the School of Applied Sciences and Mathematics Dr Namasivayam Navaranjan, students who opt for the three-year BSc (Honours) in Food Science and Human Nutrition programme will learn about food science and technology, human health and nutrition, and undergo industry training in their final semester.
Graduates can work in a number of settings, from hospitals and community health centres; food marketing and product development; to sports.
UTB is also introducing a year-long masters degree in food science and technology.
“The full-time programme can be beneficial to graduates who recently completed their degree and are looking to complete a taught MSc,” Dr Namasivayam said.
“The part-time programme (which is two years) is flexible and will be an advantage for in-service staff.”
Both the MSc in Food Science and Technology and the BSc in Food Science and Human Nutrition are also designed to obtain accreditation from international organisations, UTB said.
Meanwhile, students who aspire to work in creative industries have the chance to realise their dream with UTB’s new BSc in Digital Media with two majors.
The three-year course will teach students a range of modules from creative technological tools and design theory, to game design and gamification.
In the game development course, the focus is not just on creating entertaining games, but also educational content and apps that can have applications in academia or business.
“With a degree in digital content design or game development, employment opportunities at both the local and international creative industries will become accessible,” said Dean of the School of Computing and Informatics Dr Haji Shahrul Tazrajiman Haji Tajuddin.
Beginning July 2023, the MSc in Cybersecurity programme covers aspects of information technology management and policy as well as technical concepts of cyber security.
The MSc in Cybersecurity aims to teach the latest security principles, practices and tools so that graduates will be able to protect networks and data from cyber attacks.
Students will learn how to secure cyber infrastructure, perform risk management, malware analysis and carry out digital forensics.
The one-year programme also aims to provide skills on how to monitor systems and mitigate threats, as well as getting students to understand and manage human factors in cybersecurity.
UTB is currently working on an initiative with the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF) to build capacity of cybersecurity professionals in ASEAN.
UTB introduced Brunei’s first undergraduate degree in Architecture back in 2018, designed to meet the Part 1 requirement of the Professional Chartered process. The masters programme aims to fulfill Part 2 of the process, completing the academic requirements for a possible application as a chartered architect.
“The programme aims for local and international recognition from professional bodies (Brunei Darussalam Board of Architects, Professional Engineers and Quantity Surveyors (BAPEQS) Brunei and RIBA United Kingdom, equipping students with 21st-Century skills,” said Dean of School of Design Professor Dr Yulfian Aminanda.
