His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), presented certificates to 1,158 graduates – 35 PhD, 302 Master’s, 787 Bachelor’s degree and 34 graduate diploma – at the university’s 36th UBD Convocation Ceremony yesterday.
His Royal Highness Prince (Dr) Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Pro-Chancellor of UBD also attended.
Upon arrival, His Majesty and His Royal Highness were received by Minister of Education Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh and UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri bin Haji Kifle.
His Majesty presented certificates to PhD and Bachelor’s degree graduates in the morning, while His Royal Highness presented certificates to Master’s graduates and graduate diploma recipients in the afternoon. The ceremony commenced with State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned leading the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, followed by an undergraduate Haji Muhammad Izzuddin bin Haji Nor Hisham reciting Surah Al-A’raf (Verses 54 to 58), while fellow student Mohd Faiz bin Haji Ariffin delivered its translation. His Majesty delivered a titah and the vice-chancellor delivered a welcoming address, followed by the monarch presenting certificates to the graduates.
The ceremony concluded with the recitation of Doa.
His Majesty and His Royal Highness also viewed a special exhibition featuring the latest research findings, innovations and student achievements.
Yesterday’s ceremony also saw the graduation of the first batch of students from the School of Digital Science (SDS).
With an initial intake of only 17 students in 2020, the SDS intake has grown to over 40 students per year over the past four years, and since UBD offered the Bachelor of Digital Science programme in August 2020, 170 students have enrolled.
Students enrolled in the Bachelor’s degree programme can choose to major in computer science, data science, artificial intelligence and robotics, cybersecurity and forensics, and applied artificial intelligence. As a continuation of the convocation celebration, UBD invites graduates to ‘The Next Day’ from today to August 30, held simultaneously at the Chancellor Hall, Business Library and the Central Lecture Theatre (CLT), where graduates can return to campus with friends and family to take photos and videos in graduation gowns and revisit their favourite faculties and lecturers. There will also be two UBD alumni-run photography studios for graduates to take professional photos. – Lyna Mohamad
