The world is becoming increasingly conscious of its environmental impact, and the pursuit of a green and sustainable future has become more than just a trend.
It is a necessity. The convergence of creativity and innovation is at the heart of this transformative journey, driving change across industries and reshaping the way we live, work and interact with the planet.
From renewable energy solutions to eco-friendly designs, the fusion of imaginative thinking and cutting-edge technology is paving the way for a more sustainable world, one where environmental stewardship and human progress go hand in hand.
A GREEN VISION
The recent Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) Convocation Festival, themed ‘Towards a Green and Sustainable Future: A Confluence of Creativity and Innovation,’ perfectly encapsulates UTB’s dedication to green technology and progressive research. The exhibition showcased how inventive thinking and sustainable practices can work hand in hand, underscoring UTB’s commitment to environmental stewardship through academic excellence.
Student projects on display demonstrated this ethos in action, featuring pioneering renewable energy systems, sustainable agriculture innovations and green architecture.
These creative solutions highlight how UTB’s students are actively driving change toward a more sustainable future.
As graduates step into the professional world, they carry with them the knowledge and innovation developed at UTB, ready to implement green technologies and sustainable practices.
The theme further solidifies UTB’s position as a leader in fostering a culture of sustainability and innovation, inspiring graduates to continue pushing boundaries and contribute to a greener, more sustainable world on a global scale.
The exhibition at the Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) Convocation Festival spotlighted five remarkable student projects, each blending creativity with sustainable innovation. Among them was ‘Sustainable Refurbishment of Existing Buildings: Water Conservation’, a project by Nadiya binti Rozman Azmi, MSc in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering. Her work focused on water conservation techniques within building refurbishments, offering a forward-thinking approach to environmental preservation.
Equally impressive was the ‘Smart Sustainable, Low-Cost IoT-Based Waste Segregator Dustbin System’ by Syaza Aina binti Hamdani, a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Networking graduate.
This project tackled waste management issues with a smart, cost-effective solution, aligning perfectly with Brunei’s Sustainable Development Goals. The festival also showcased other standout projects, each pushing the boundaries of sustainable innovation.
Hajah Safiyyah Aisyah Kamilah Haji Mohamad Jaafar, a Bachelor of Science (Honours) graduate in Fashion Design & Technology, explored the environmental impact of the fashion industry with her project, ‘Fashion Sensitivity and Water Influence in the Sustainability of Brunei’s Fashion Industry’.
Her work shed light on the often-overlooked relationship between fashion and sustainability, highlighting the urgent need for eco-conscious design.
In the realm of food preservation, Nur Adila Puteri binti Irwan, a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Food Science and Technology, presented her project, ‘Utilising Roselle’s Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties to Enhance Meat Storage Quality’.
This innovative approach to improving food storage tapped into natural resources to extend meat shelf life, offering a greener alternative to traditional methods.
Meanwhile, a team of Bachelor of Business (Honours) Marketing Information Systems students introduced Tanah Maju, a portable soil analysis tool aimed at enhancing agricultural yields.
The project, developed by Abdul Qur’ainal Haji Abdul Mutalip, Lim Liang Hong, Mohammad Aizat bin Haji Mohammad Anas, Muhammad Anaz Adhlizam bin Adanan, and Najiya binti Roslan, addressed the need for smarter, more efficient agricultural practices to boost productivity and sustainability in Brunei’s farming sector.
In an interview with the Bulletin, Nur Adila spoke about her project and explained that the rising demand for meat, both globally and in Brunei Darussalam, presents challenges due to its highly perishable nature. Meat spoilage contributes significantly to food waste in the Sultanate, with around 36 per cent ending up in landfills, where it accounts for 56 per cent of greenhouse gas emission.
This highlights the pressing need for more sustainable preservation methods. She noted that the commonly used preservation technique in Brunei Darussalam relies on sodium nitrate, which can pose health risks, including diabetes, allergic reactions and water pollution.
In contrast, Roselle, a locally produced plant, offers a natural alternative that is already used for juices and could potentially serve as a preservative.
Looking ahead, Nur Adila envisions Roselle being utilised more widely in the food industry for products like jams and confectioneries, as well as in cosmetics and natural healing oils and supplements. Meanwhile, Hajah Safiyyah Aisyah Kamilah, whose early passion for fashion ignited a lifelong commitment to the industry, highlighted the environmental impact of fashion through her project, ‘Fashion Sensitivity and Water Influence in the Sustainability of Brunei’s Fashion Industry’.
She explained that “fashion sensitivity” reflects how trends drive people to constantly update their wardrobes, leading to wasteful discarding of clothes.
This waste, in turn, contributes to environmental issues, including marine pollution. By embracing sustainable practices in fashion, individuals can help reduce this impact.
Water played a significant role in her project, inspired by her upbringing in Kampong Ayer. Highlighting Brunei’s high water usage, she aimed to raise awareness about water conservation through fashion, integrating water as a key element in her designs.
Safiyyah further explained that fashion sensitivity promotes a shift towards sustainability, transparency, and innovation within the industry, focusing on reducing the negative effects of current practices.
“By prioritising sustainability, transparency and innovation (such as modularity), fashion sensitivity strives to reduce the negative effects associated with current industry practices.
“Through a comprehensive literature review and research, this abstract examines the nature of the various characteristics of fashion sensitivity and its potential to spark positive change,” said the graduate.
By advocating for ‘modular’ fashion and increasing consumer awareness, Safiyyah believes that fashion sensitivity paves the way for a more responsible and sustainable fashion ecosystem.
With a lifelong passion for fashion, Safiyyah aims to continue educating the public on the intersection of fashion and sustainability, both locally and globally, as she pursues her career in the fashion industry. – Azlan Othman
