Lyna Mohamad
Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) will work together with Butra HeidelbergCement (BHC) to promote knowledge and strengthen the understanding of sustainable building materials, with a focus on cement and concrete, which includes the sharing of information and expertise through dialogues, workshops, joint meetings, possible research participation, and community service programmes.
The cooperation was made official with the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between UTB and BHC at the Indera Kayangan Ballroom of The Empire Brunei in Jerudong yesterday.
UTB Vice-Chancellor Datin Paduka Professor Dr Hajah Zohrah binti Haji Sulaiman signed on behalf of the university, and its Managing Director Marcelino Ugarte represented BHC.
The MoU signified the commitment of both organisations to realise Brunei Vision 2035 in environmental sustainability, specifically in the construction industry of the Sultanate and also reinforces UTB’s commitment to creating a low carbon footprint and a green sustainable environment for all.
Ugarte appreciated UTB for its guidance and expertise in organising the dialogue. He hoped to create more activities to further both organisations’ common goals in pursuing sustainability initiatives in the construction and building materials industry.
He also admitted that injecting sustainable practices into the industry has been challenging. “A way to overcome it is through educational approach, awareness and promoting active discussions allowing the industry to work together cohesively,” he said.
The UTB Vice-Chancellor said the importance of creating a strategic collaboration with private organisations, such as BHC, is to open up opportunities towards creating a dynamic and sustainable economy as the nation moves closer to realise Brunei Vision 2035.
“The MoU signing serves as an important milestone as we embark on our working relationship in more definite common grounds of interests,” she said.
With the nation moving towards realising Brunei Vision 2035, she said the strategic collaboration would bring more opportunities to create a dynamic and sustainable economy for Brunei and reinforce commitments to developing a low carbon footprint.
“Our working rapport will encourage close cooperation between staff from both organisations, especially in joint research collaboration and life-long learning initiatives.
“Our students will benefit from their educational diversity and engagement with the real world and may create their own identity,” Datin Paduka Professor Dr Hajah Zohrah said.
She also expressed confidence that the work commitments and experience will pave the way for the right skills development to support learning and multi-disciplinary research between UTB and BHC, which will eventually help the country address the complex challenges of today’s ever-changing global economic and environmental demands.
BHC and UTB collaborated on a lecture series in 2022, and BHC has been continuously hosting the university’s students for industrial placements. Through the newly-signed MoU, both organisations hope to expand on the present collaborations in a joint effort to push the relevant sustainability agenda.
