The collaboration between higher educational institutions in the Sultanate and Osaka University (OU) in Japan has reached its fifth year with a lot of successful programmes being implemented.
This was said by Permanent Secretary (Higher Education) at the Ministry of Education Dr Haji Azman bin Ahmad at the Osaka University International Certificate Programme (OUICP) virtual graduation celebration recently. He believed the collaboration has created strong research linkages between the laboratories, leading to joint publications in top international journals.
He added that the student exchange programme has given students from OU exposure to the culture, tradition, environment and the people of Brunei Darussalam.
The virtual graduation was co-hosted by Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) and Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) along with OU for 19 students who completed a nine-month programme in biotechnology, halal science, technology and innovation hosted by OU. The event also held a welcoming ceremony for the programme’s fifth batch. UBD student Nurul Fadhila binti Abang Arbie said, “The programme has expanded my knowledge by emphasising on the importance of collaboration, work culture and patent application, and how we can apply and develop our research in this modern era where technology is ever-evolving.”
UNISSA student Siti Nasyitah binti Haji Ahmad highlighted, “Throughout the programme, our professors played a pivotal role. They nurtured our intellectual growth and encouraged us to reach for the stars.”
Meanwhile UTB student Mohammad Abdul Muiz bin Haji Sahminan said, “I am honoured to be chosen as one of the OUICP’s first batch. I’m able to understand the present problems and circumstances thanks to those comprehensive lessons.”
The programme aimed to contribute solutions to issues in the ASEAN region, focusing on each country’s society and culture while developing an infrastructure to benefit those societies through international and innovative approaches. Among the attendees were Executive Vice President of International Affairs (Education) at OU Professor Yamamoto Beverley Anne, UBD Assistant Vice Chancellor (Global Affairs) Dr Joyce Teo Siew Yean and UNISSA Assistant Rector (Student Affairs and Alumni) Dr Hajah Lilly Suzana binti Haji Shamsu.
