Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) has taken a significant step in reviewing its Petroleum Engineering Degree Programme in realising the importance of supporting Brunei’s global ambition in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UTB’s Undergraduate Degree Programme in Petroleum Engineering is now rebranded to Energy Engineering, expanding its scope to include renewable energy and sustainable production besides petroleum.
UTB said as energy transition and reducing carbon dioxide emissions dominates the global sustainability agenda, it became prudent to prepare students for the rapidly changing energy landscape.
“The rebranding of this programme is our effort to prepare students for the future. It is our aim to support the national and global agendas on clean energy,” said Acting Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Pengiran Dr Seri Rahayu binti Pengiran Ya’akub.
The four-year Honours Degree, offered to prospective students in the 2023/2024 academic year, is specialised in the production, storage, distribution, and use of renewable and sustainable sources, said programme leader Dr Mohammad Hazwan Azri.
The restructuring of the curriculum to include other energy sources besides petroleum benefitted from the input of both academic experts and industry professionals, who were actively engaged in the design process.
The course of study aims to provide students with a thorough range of interdisciplinary abilities that enable them to improve and broaden their understanding of energy utilisation.
The programme leader added that industry engagement will play a critical role in the programme, with industry representatives contributing through sharing experiences, delivering guest lectures, and providing training opportunities.
The BEng (Hons) in Energy Engineering is part of the Petroleum and Chemical Engineering (PCE) Programme Area at UTB. The programme area is staffed by a team of professionals, with experience in both teaching and research.
Upon graduating the BEng (Hons) in Energy Engineering, students will gain the crucial abilities and knowledge required to be successful energy engineers in a variety of industries.
The graduates can pursue careers in sectors like oil and gas, process, chemical, electricity, renewable energy, operations and management.
Energy engineers will play a crucial role in Brunei’s future, as the country develops its economic and environmental sustainability initiative, Pengiran Dr Seri Rahayu said.
“An advantage for our prospective energy engineering students will be the versatility to be employed almost anywhere within the energy sector due to our multidisciplinary and rigorous curriculum.”
She added: “UTB will hopefully be at the forefront in producing indispensable manpower resources to facilitate this endeavour.”
